THE NINE DAYS OF MOURNING FOR A POPE

THE FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC AFTER FRANCIS

The pontificate of Pope Francis, which began in 2013, has been a period of significant upheaval and polarization within the Catholic Church. Marked by a pastoral emphasis on mercy, synodality, and engagement with modernity, Francis’s leadership has elicited both admiration and concern, particularly among conservative Catholics who prioritize doctrinal clarity, liturgical tradition, and the Church’s timeless teachings. As the Church looks beyond Francis’s papacy, Catholics who desire a return to ‘Catholic normalcy’ envision a future that reaffirms the Church’s unchanging truths, restores reverence in worship, and navigates the challenges of secularism and internal division with fidelity to its sacred mission. I will explore the potential trajectory of the Catholic Church after Francis from this perspective, focusing on doctrine, liturgy, governance, and evangelization.

The Need for Doctrinal Clarity

Catholics view the preservation of doctrinal integrity as paramount. Pope Francis’s papacy has been characterized by ambiguity in certain teachings, particularly on issues such as marriage, family, and moral theology. Documents like Amoris Laetitia (2016) have sparked debate over the interpretation of sacramental discipline, with some perceiving a softening of traditional teachings on divorce, remarriage, and communion. From a conservative perspective, the next pontificate must prioritize unambiguous reaffirmation of Catholic doctrine, rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.

The future Church will likely face intensified pressure from secular culture on issues such as sexuality, gender, and bioethics. We must hope for a pope who will uphold the Church’s countercultural stance, clearly articulating teachings on the sanctity of life, the complementarity of the sexes, and the indissolubility of marriage. This clarity is not merely defensive but apostolic, enabling the Church to proclaim the Gospel with confidence in a world increasingly hostile to Christian values. A return to the catechetical rigor exemplified by St. John Paul II’s Catechism of the Catholic Church and Benedict XVI’s theological precision could serve as a foundation for renewing the Church’s teaching mission.

Restoring Reverence in Liturgy

For Catholics, the liturgy is the heart of the Church’s life, a sacred encounter with the divine that must reflect the majesty and mystery of God. The post-Vatican II liturgical reforms, while intended to foster greater participation, have often been implemented in ways that conservative Catholics perceive as diminishing reverence. Pope Francis’s 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, which restricted the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), was seen by many traditionalists as a setback for those who find spiritual nourishment in the older rite.

Looking forward, Catholics hope for a pontificate that fosters liturgical renewal by promoting beauty, transcendence, and continuity with tradition. This could involve greater access to the TLM, alongside efforts to enrich the Novus Ordo with elements of traditional piety, such as Gregorian chant, ad orientem worship, and robust sacramental catechesis. The future Church must balance the diversity of liturgical expressions while ensuring that worship remains a sacred act, not a platform for experimentation or secular trends. A pope who champions the ars celebrandi—the art of celebrating the liturgy well—could inspire a generation to rediscover the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.

Reforming Governance and Synodality

Pope Francis’s emphasis on synodality—a process of communal discernment involving bishops, clergy, and laity—has been both a hallmark of his papacy and a point of contention. Tradition-minded Catholics express concern that an overly decentralized or democratic approach to governance risks diluting the Church’s hierarchical structure and magisterial authority. The Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) raised fears among some that controversial issues, such as women’s ordination or the blessing of same-sex unions, could gain traction under the guise of “listening” to the faithful.

In the post-Francis era, Catholics advocate for a return to a governance model that upholds the primacy of the pope and bishops as authoritative teachers, while fostering genuine consultation without compromising doctrine. The selection of a pope who prioritizes orthodoxy in episcopal appointments and curial leadership will be critical. The Church’s global nature demands a balance between local inculturation and universal fidelity, ensuring that regional synods do not devolve into theological relativism. A future pontificate could strengthen the Church’s unity by clarifying the boundaries of synodality and reinforcing the role of the Magisterium in guiding the faithful.

Evangelization in a Secular Age

The Catholic Church faces an existential challenge in the growing secularism of the modern world, particularly in Europe and North America, where declining Mass attendance and vocations signal a crisis of faith. Conservative Catholics argue that the Church’s response must be a bold, unapologetic proclamation of the Gospel, coupled with a commitment to forming intentional disciples. Pope Francis’s outreach to the marginalized and his call for a “Church of the poor” resonate with conservatives, but they emphasize that evangelization must be grounded in truth, not accommodation to cultural norms.

The future Church, from a conservative perspective, should invest in robust catechesis, Catholic education, and the formation of families as domestic churches. The rise of digital media offers new opportunities for evangelization, and a future pope could harness these tools to spread the faith, countering the relativism and materialism of secular culture. Moreover, conservative Catholics see the witness of vibrant religious communities—such as those rooted in traditional spirituality or new ecclesial movements—as a powerful means of attracting young people to the faith. A pontificate that champions missionary zeal, as exemplified by the early Church, could renew the Church’s evangelistic fervor.

Navigating Internal Divisions

One of the most pressing challenges for the post-Francis Church will be healing the divisions that have intensified during his papacy. Conservative Catholics, while critical of certain aspects of Francis’s leadership, recognize the need for unity under the next pope. The polarization between traditionalists and progressives, often exacerbated by social media and partisan media outlets, threatens the Church’s witness to the world. A future pontificate must model charity and firmness, fostering dialogue while upholding the deposit of faith.

Catholics hope for a pope who can bridge divides by emphasizing shared commitments to Christ, the Eucharist, and the Church’s mission. This could involve affirming the legitimate diversity within Catholicism—such as the coexistence of the TLM and Novus Ordo—while decisively addressing heterodoxy. The example of St. John Paul II, who inspired both conservatives and progressives through his personal holiness and global outreach, offers a model for unifying the Church without compromising its principles.

Conclusion

The future of the Catholic Church after Pope Francis hinges on a return to its foundational mission: to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to worship God in spirit and truth, and to guide souls to eternal salvation. The next pontificate will inherit a Church at a crossroads, facing external pressures from secularism and internal tensions over doctrine and practice. By prioritizing doctrinal clarity, liturgical reverence, authoritative governance, and missionary evangelization, the Church can navigate these challenges with confidence. Catholics place their hope in the Holy Spirit, trusting that the next pope will lead the Church with fidelity to its timeless teachings and a vision for renewing its witness in the modern world. The future of the Church, as always, rests in God’s hands, but it calls for a leader who will steer the Barque of Peter with courage, wisdom, and unwavering faith.