Pope Francis has signaled his continued commitment to leading the Catholic Church by approving a new three-year reform plan, even while recovering from a lengthy hospital stay due to pneumonia.
Pope Francis, despite being hospitalized for over a month, has taken decisive action by authorizing a significant three-year reform process for the Catholic Church. The Vatican revealed that the pope signed off on these plans from his hospital room at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. His hospitalization, the longest since he became pope, began on February 14, following a bout with pneumonia.
The reforms focus on increasing the role of women within the Church, including the possibility of ordaining them as deacons, and enhancing the involvement of lay members in governance and decision-making processes. These changes have been deliberated through the Synod of Bishops, which Pope Francis has utilized as a primary means of advancing his pastoral agenda.
In October 2023 and 2024, two Vatican assemblies, which for the first time included female voting members, convened for extensive discussions. These meetings resulted in a document by the pope, which left open the question of ordaining women as deacons. This document also emphasized the importance of providing women with all leadership opportunities available under church law.
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The continuation of this reform process for another three years is set to conclude with an ecclesiastical assembly in the Vatican in October 2028. Unlike previous synod assemblies, this unique gathering will bring together bishops, clergy, monastic members, and laypersons. Should a conclave be necessary during this period, the newly elected pope will be expected to carry forward the reforms initiated by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis’s decision also serves as a countermeasure to the quiet opposition from some bishops and senior leaders within the Church. Cardinal Mario Grech, head of the synod office, noted that the new plans provide an opportunity for local churches that have not fully engaged with the synodal path to catch up and establish their own synodal teams.
Throughout his hospitalization, Pope Francis has demonstrated his ongoing governance of the Church. He has continued to sign important documents, meet with senior aides, and appoint bishops from the hospital. The Vatican has assured that his condition is stable, with gradual improvements, though he still requires some medical assistance at night. His recovery is anticipated to be complete, easing the tension that his extended hospital stay has caused within the Vatican.
Pope Francis’s endorsement of the extensive reform plan underscores his resolve to lead the Catholic Church through a transformative era, despite health challenges. His actions reflect a commitment to inclusivity and modern governance within the Church, paving the way for continued progress and adaptation.
