POPE FRANCIS' LEGACY:  A LOOK AT HIS PAPACY

Since his election on March 13, 2013, Pope Francis has elicited both admiration and unease within the Catholic Church. Praised for his humility, pastoral outreach, and emphasis on mercy, he has also faced significant criticism from 'conservative' Catholics who argue that his papacy has introduced doctrinal ambiguity, sidelined sacred tradition, and adopted a governance style that risks undermining the Church’s mission. From this perspective—rooted in the immutable truths of Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium—I will analyze three key areas of concern: doctrinal clarity, liturgical reform, and ecclesiastical governance.

Doctrinal Ambiguity and Pastoral Confusion
A central critique of Pope Francis’ papacy is the perceived lack of clarity in his teachings on faith and morals, which Catholics view as essential to the papal office. The pope is tasked with safeguarding the deposit of faith and ensuring its clear transmission (1 Timothy 6:20). However, documents such as Amoris Laetitia (2016), particularly its eighth chapter, have sparked controversy by suggesting a pastoral approach that appears to soften the Church’s discipline on the reception of Communion by divorced and remarried Catholics.


Amoris Laetitia advocates for discernment in “irregular situations,” implying that some individuals in such unions might receive the sacraments under certain conditions. This contrasts with the clear teaching of Pope St. John Paul II in Familiaris Consortio (1981), which requires those in irregular unions to live in continence to access Communion. The ambiguity in Amoris Laetitia has led to varied interpretations, with some dioceses (e.g., Buenos Aires) allowing Communion in specific cases, while others uphold traditional discipline. This inconsistency undermines the universality of Catholic moral teaching and risks confusing the faithful about the nature of sin, repentance, and sacramental worthiness.


The 2016 dubia submitted by Cardinals Burke, Brandmüller, Caffarra, and Meisner sought clarification on these points, asking whether Amoris Laetitia aligns with established moral theology. Pope Francis’ decision not to respond directly to the dubia has been seen as a missed opportunity to exercise his role as the supreme teacher of the faith, leaving bishops, priests, and laity without authoritative guidance. Orthodox Catholics argue that such ambiguity erodes the Church’s ability to proclaim objective truth in a relativistic world, where moral clarity is urgently needed.


Liturgical Reform and the Marginalization of Tradition


Pope Francis’ approach to the liturgy, particularly his restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) via Traditionis Custodes (2021), is another significant point of contention. The TLM, restored to wider use by Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum (2007), is revered by Orthodox Catholics as a timeless expression of the Church’s lex orandi (law of prayer), which undergirds the lex credendi (law of belief). Benedict XVI described the TLM as a “treasure” of the Church, emphasizing its continuity with the Church’s liturgical heritage.


Traditionis Custodes, however, restricts the TLM’s celebration, requiring bishops’ approval and framing it as a potential source of division. The accompanying letter suggests that the TLM fosters an ecclesiology at odds with the Second Vatican Council, a claim that many Catholics dispute, noting that the TLM has attracted a growing number of young, devout Catholics who fully accept the Council’s teachings. The restrictions have been criticized as dismissive of the spiritual needs of traditionalist communities and as an unnecessary rupture with the Church’s liturgical patrimony.


Moreover, Pope Francis has not adequately addressed widespread liturgical abuses in the Novus Ordo Mass, such as irreverent celebrations or deviations from prescribed rubrics, which Catholics see as undermining the sacredness of worship. By prioritizing restrictions on the TLM while tolerating such abuses, Francis risks alienating those who seek reverence and continuity in worship, weakening the Church’s liturgical witness.


Ecclesiastical Governance and Selective Authority
Pope Francis’ governance style has also drawn criticism for its perceived centralization and selective exercise of authority. Catholics uphold the principle of subsidiarity, which favors local decision-making unless higher intervention is necessary to preserve unity or correct error. However, Francis’ papacy has been marked by interventions that appear to prioritize personal preferences over collegiality.


For instance, the marginalization of orthodox prelates like Cardinal Raymond Burke, who was removed from key curial roles, contrasts with the elevation of figures who openly challenge traditional teachings, such as Cardinal Walter Kasper, a proponent of liberalizing sacramental discipline. Similarly, the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) has raised concerns for its emphasis on “listening” to diverse voices, including those advocating for changes to settled doctrine on issues like women’s ordination or same-sex blessings. Catholics fear that this process risks diluting the Church’s hierarchical structure and magisterial authority under the guise of inclusivity.


Additionally, the 2020 dismissal of Cardinal Angelo Becciu and the handling of financial scandals in the Vatican have fueled perceptions of opaque decision-making. While Francis has sought to reform Vatican finances, the lack of transparency in these processes has undermined trust among those who expect the papacy to model accountability and justice.


Engagement with the Modern World
Pope Francis’ engagement with secular culture, while intended to evangelize, has sometimes been criticized for lacking prophetic clarity. His emphasis on issues like climate change (Laudato Si’, 2015) and migration has been praised by secular audiences but critiqued by Catholics for overshadowing the Church’s primary mission: the salvation of souls. Statements perceived as equivocal on moral issues, such as his 2020 remarks on civil unions for same-sex couples, have caused confusion, as they appear to deviate from the Church’s teaching on the nature of marriage as a union between one man and one woman.


Catholics argue that the Church should engage the world by boldly proclaiming the Gospel, even when it challenges prevailing cultural norms. By prioritizing dialogue with secular ideologies over clear moral teaching, Francis risks diluting the Church’s countercultural witness, particularly in an era marked by moral relativism and hostility to Christian values.


Pope Francis’ papacy presents significant challenges to the Church’s mission. His approach to doctrine has introduced ambiguity, leaving the faithful without clear guidance on critical moral issues. His liturgical reforms, particularly the restrictions on the TLM, have marginalized a vital expression of Catholic worship. His governance style, marked by centralization and selective authority, has strained trust among orthodox clergy and laity. While Francis’ emphasis on mercy and outreach reflects the heart of the Gospel, Catholics argue that these virtues must be balanced with clarity, fidelity to tradition, and a robust defense of the faith.


The papacy is a sacred office, entrusted with confirming the brethren in the truth (Luke 22:32). Catholics hope that future papal leadership will address these concerns by reaffirming the Church’s unchanging teachings, fostering liturgical reverence, and governing with transparency and collegiality. In a world hungering for truth, the Church’s witness depends on a papacy that boldly proclaims the faith “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

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