Rome
CNN
–
Pope Francis has approved the Catholic Church’s new three-year reform process, sending a strong signal to continue his post despite spending a month fighting pneumonia in hospitals.
The Vatican announced on Saturday that the 88-year-old Pope had signed a reform plan from Gemeri Hospital in Rome earlier in the week. Francis has been hospitalized since February 14th, and is his longest stay since his election as Pope 12 years ago.
Table reform includes ways to give Catholic women a greater role, including ordaining deacons and greater inclusion of congregations in governance and decision-making.
The reforms were explored through a structure called the Civil Church, the main means by which the Pope implemented his idyllic agenda during his Holy See. In recent years, he has been trying to involve Catholics from around the world in the renewal process.
In October 2023 and 2024, the two Vatican assemblies (which included the first female voting members) met for almost a month of discussion and deliberation with the final document, each agreed by the Pope.
The document revealed the issue of appointing a female butler. He performs all the functions of the priest bar, celebrating the Mass and listening to confessions. He also argued that women are given all the opportunities that church laws are offered to act as leaders.
Francis’ latest decision extends the process by another three years, culminating in October 2028 with the Vatican “Civic Congress.” Unlike the Bishop’s Conference, this becomes a unique gathering of bishops, clergy, monks, monks, nuns, and male women.
By that stage, Francis will be 91, so his move could mean that the conclave will be made while this reform initiative is underway. In that scenario, anyone chosen as the next pope will be tasked with continuing the reform process that Francis has begun.
Meanwhile, the Pope’s decision is also a response to bishops and other senior leaders who are quietly resisting the Argentine Pope’s reform plan.
Cardinal Mario Grech, who heads Holy See’s Synod Office, said the latest plan, which includes local churches, “provides parishes that have not invested in synodal pass an opportunity to restore measures that have not yet been taken and form their own synodal team.”
Since his admission, the Pope has informed him that he still governs the Catholic Church, signs documents from Gemeri Hospital, and meets two of his most senior aides to appoint a bishop.
On Saturday, the Vatican said Francis is in a stable state, making “gradual improvements,” but still needs treatment at the hospital. The need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation that Francis receives at night is expected to decrease and recover.
Nevertheless, Francis’ long-term hospital was a time of high anxiety for the Vatican. In 30 days, his longest hospitalization is behind John Paul II’s 55 days at Jemeri.
