VATICAN CITY, Rome. Pope Francis is embarking on World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, where he is setting the stage for the future of the Catholic Church and his own legacy. With an ambitious reform agenda, the 86-year-old pontiff is making significant changes in personnel and policy, aiming to shake up the church for the 21st century.
This edition of World Youth Day, initiated by St. John Paul II in 1986 to inspire young Catholics, is expected to attract up to 1 million participants as the first post-pandemic event of its kind. Pope Francis will address pressing issues such as social justice concerns, climate change, social inequality, fraternity, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Looking beyond Portugal, the culmination of Pope Francis’ vision for the church will be realized this October during a significant synod at the Vatican. The synod will address critical matters, including the role of LGBTQ+ Catholics and women in the church. A noteworthy change is that women and young people will be given the right to vote on proposals alongside bishops for the first time.
To execute the vision arising from the synod, Pope Francis has been appointing young bishops to key archdioceses worldwide, ensuring a new generation of leaders aligned with his reforms. By promoting younger clerics, the Pope is paving the way for a generational and ideological shift in the church’s leadership, as these appointees will have an influential role in selecting future popes through conclave votes.
Among the key “legacy” appointments is Cardinal-elect Victor Manuel Fernandez, a 61-year-old Argentine, who will become the Vatican’s new doctrinal czar. Fernandez embodies Pope Francis’ desire for a more inclusive and respectful church, welcoming diverse ways of living and thinking.
Another significant young churchman is Portuguese Cardinal-elect Americo Aguiar, who, at age 49, will become the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals. He views his appointment as a signal to young people around the world, underscoring the importance of the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon.
Pope Francis’ forward-thinking and reformative approach can be traced back to his 2013 World Youth Day exhortation in Rio de Janeiro, where he urged young Catholics to make a “mess” in their local churches. Over the past decade, he has continued to emphasize pastoral messages that challenge traditional structures and encourage a more dynamic and engaged relationship with the world.
As Pope Francis forges ahead with his ambitious agenda and prepares the church for the future, the World Youth Day in Lisbon represents a pivotal moment in consolidating his legacy of a more inclusive and progressive Catholic Church.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
