Summary
In late December, the Vatican published two significant decisions related to Pope Francis’s pontificate. The commission established by Francis to study the female diaconate concluded with a “No” decision, which was expected and met with no surprise. At the same time, Leo XIV, the current pope, repealed one of Pope Francis’s financial reforms. This demonstrates a characteristic of both pontificates: they moved at two speeds. The Leo XVI pontificate has been acting as a bridge between the world of Francis and the future of the church under his successor. For instance, two documents Francis commissioned from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith are still in progress, while Leo XIV published an exhortation based on Pope Francis’s unfinished work. The commission’s final document reiterates the need for a “prudential attitude” regarding female diaconate, reflecting Francis’s interest in keeping the door open rather than definitively ruling out the idea. Leo XIV has been clear about his stance, emphasizing a return to Christ and no doctrinal changes.
Key Topics
Francis pontificate, Leo XIV, papal commission
