VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis, back from his summer hiatus, is gearing up for a busy period of travel and high-stakes discussions aimed at solidifying his legacy as a reformist leader within the Catholic Church. The 87-year-old pontiff, who now relies on a wheelchair due to knee and back issues, is set to embark on an intense schedule as he navigates the final stages of his papacy.
In September, Pope Francis will undertake a significant 12-day journey across four Asian countries, marking his longest trip abroad to date. This will be followed by visits to Belgium and Luxembourg. He resumes his weekly general audiences today after a month-long break.
October will see Pope Francis convene a crucial four-week synod at the Vatican, bringing together hundreds of Catholic bishops from around the world. This assembly will tackle potential reforms within the Church, including contentious topics such as the possibility of allowing married men to become priests and the role of women as deacons.
Church observers interpret these moves as part of a broader effort by the pope to leave a lasting impact. “He’s got to be thinking … of how to make sure his vision continues,” said Christopher Bellitto, a U.S. Church historian at Kean University. “Given the pope’s age, this may be the ‘final stage’ of the pontificate.”
Paola Lazzarini, an Italian advocate for Church reform, described the upcoming period as a “hot autumn” for Francis, who has led the Church since his election in 2013. Lazzarini noted that, with the pope’s energy waning, the Church is already considering future leadership.
The October synod is part of a groundbreaking Vatican consultation process initiated by Francis in 2021. This synod will review issues raised during global consultations, including the Church’s stance on sexual teachings, birth control, and the treatment of LGBT Catholics. The process has faced criticism from conservative factions within the Church, with concerns that it might dilute traditional teachings.
Last year’s assembly concluded without clear resolutions, raising high expectations for the upcoming gathering. Following the October meeting, Francis is expected to draft a document addressing some of the debated issues, with a potential release in early 2025.
In addition to the synod, Pope Francis will soon need to appoint a new leader for the Vatican’s sexual abuse commission, a role currently held by Cardinal Sean O’Malley. O’Malley, who is stepping down due to age limits, has been pivotal in the commission’s work since its establishment in 2014.
Bellitto emphasized that one of Francis’s major goals is to institutionalize the global consultation method as a permanent feature of the Church. However, he cautioned that the next pope could potentially reverse these reforms. “It seems that [Francis] understands that,” Bellitto said. “He’s been given a baton, he does what he thinks best, and he passes it along.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Pope Francis, the Vatican, and Rome are preparing for the Roman Catholic Jubilee, a Holy Year expected to attract around 32 million tourists and host a year-long series of events. The pace remains relentless for the pope as he seeks to shape the Church’s future.
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.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
