He was a tower, a pillar, and a beacon for the typical people, the underprivileged, the have-nots, and those who faced discrimination in any way who wanted to live in harmony, love, and unity with other people and the natural world. Regardless of their faith, Francisco ( Jorge Bergoglio ) was not just the head of the Catholic Church. He was also a voice for the eight billion people who lived on Earth.
Every bishop has attempted to live up to this part, but probably never has a pope put so much effort into it and succeeded in it since early Christianity. So, the first question for his successor is clear: May he chose to change his course or continue on this path? Many in the Church thing, arguing that too much effort to engage non-Christians affects the Church’s integrity.
Francis’s mentoring to Muslims, Hindus, and agnostics did not increase the number of people attending Mass. Temples remained empty, especially in the traditional Catholic regions of Latin America and Europe. His opponents contend that attracting people outside the Church will be futile if they don’t care for the people who currently exist, leaving the organization as a barrel.
The second pope may try to strike a balance between these two trends, but it’s not clear how that will be achieved. The task facing the future pope could be enormous because of such an overall and enormous reach to every person on the planet. The difficulties are possibly more sobering than previously.
Conservatives and Disciples are expanding their influence wherever Catholics again had hold in history, not just in Latin America but also in developing nations like Africa, India, and China. For example, there may be ten million Christians in China, but there could be hundreds of millions of pseudo-Christians or self-proclaimed Christians.
The Church hasn’t been unified on how to process this phenomenon so much. Some claim that it presents a problem and that the faithful may be resurrected with the true faith. Some claim that it is useless; instead, people are more in tune with pastors and communities who have much needs. As more people convert to Christianity and distance themselves from their initial non-Christian beliefs, this conflict grows.
Additionally, there is the complicated problem of mega-states, which hold 40 % of the country’s population, namely, China and India. Francis requested an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but Francis was not invited, citing concerns raised by the nearby Catholic Church.
In this context, it is obvious that India is more successful in fostering ties with the upcoming bishop. If Modi and the nearby Catholics come to terms, India might be able to ally itself more with the Church, which could have significant political benefits. Modi aims to build a new American identification that is rooted in Hindu nationalism, which frequently contrasts with Christian and Islamic beliefs.
Catholicism has been a part of the subcontinent’s personality since the first century AD, with legends claiming that Jesus traveled to India to study with regional specialists before coming back to Israel at the age of 30.
Christianity is woven into the fabric of American personality, and it might encourage Modi and his friends to accept this reality. India might gain a competitive advantage over China if it practices Catholicism.
Regarding China, the Church might put relations with Beijing on the back burner unless some strong initiatives from China are taken, though such a growth seems implausible. This circumstance may have an effect on China’s standing globally.
As the UN waned and major power engaged in arm-wrestling over several problems, the Church became a centre for speech and covert intervention under Francis. Beijing might find it uncomfortable to be kept out of Vatican conversations.
The cardinal may then choose the next pope to manage these decisions. They are incredibly diverse, with Iran, Pakistan, and Mongolia among the more diverse nations there are than previously. Franciss hoped for a more diverse audience worldwide.
Many of these cardinal have not met and scarcely understand one another, making it challenging to come to a compromise. With 19 chiefs out of 138, with two of them stationed overseas in Jerusalem and Ulaanbaatar, the largest one union is made up of the Italians. They may assist in organizing the conference, but it’s still not clear whether they will fit their preferred prospect in the white robe.
Americans, who have ten chiefs, make up the second-largest party. They were key in choosing Francis, but they are now divided into liberal and conservative parties, making it unclear whether they can exert the same influence.
18 American chiefs are present. The Church’s immediate future is shaped by a number of conversions, pressing issues, and competing political interests between emerging powers like China and historic colonial powers, as well as by migration and other pressing issues.
But, it’s not certain whether a powerful, global-minded number will join this group because the Pope needs to serve as a pastor to the entire world. Secondly, it’s not clear whether the next pope will use traditional criteria when choosing him.
A bishop was traditionally expected to have significant experience in a big Catholic bishop, which would reduce individuals like Cardinal Parolin, the Secretary of State, who has never served as a catholic priest, or Cardinal Bo from Myanmar, whose Christian population is in the minority. Both are viewed as personable and socially knowledgeable, which makes them attractive candidates.
These classic standards may no longer apply because there are more cardinal from nations where Catholics frequently make up small groups and in a world where the majority is in the minority.
Finally, the new pope will have to understand the delicate relationship with the Vatican, which is the world’s greatest superpower, the bulwark of the West, and the one-time biggest donor.
The second bishop must not blindly follow American principles, which may alienate the rest of the world. In contrast, being aggressive might turn off thousands of honest.
The terrible conflict within the American Catholic Church, which traditionalists oppose Francis and liberals back him, all contributes to the state itself, which is racked up by President Donald Trump.
The second bishop may also have to perform a difficult task of bringing America together again.
This content was originally published on Appia Institute, and it has since been republished with authority. Read the original right below.