Pope Francis’ Successor to Continue His Visionary Leadership
The Catholic Church will uphold the reformist line initiated by Pope Francis, who outlined his succession plan by designating 80% of the cardinal electors responsible for choosing the next pontiff, stated his former spokesperson when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Pope Francis’ Legacy and Impact
Pope Francis, the first American pope in Roman Catholic Church history, passed away at 88 after suffering a stroke. His legacy includes promoting interreligious dialogue, peace, and advocating for the poor and migrants while leading a simple life reminiscent of his native Argentina.
Guillermo Marcó’s Perspective
“I don’t believe there will be controversies regarding the Church’s leadership style because the sector wishing to revert to the past lacks sufficient support today,” said Guillermo Marcó, Pope Francis’ spokesperson for nine years while maintaining a close relationship with him.
“Nobody wants to return to a more principled, closed church that excludes most people. Instead, we desire a more approachable, merciful, and open church for everyone… I don’t think there’s any turning back from this,” Marcó added.
The Conclave Process
Typically, the conclave to elect a new pope occurs 15 to 20 days after a pontiff’s death. Approximately 135 cardinals can participate in a secret vote that may last several days.
Succession Speculations
Currently, there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Pope Francis. However, the late pope appointed trusted individuals to key positions, subtly outlining his succession plan, according to Marcó.
“Pope Francis democratized the Vatican, and his reforms will endure because he established a new style,” Marcó explained. “There won’t be a return to the pompous style that even today’s monarchs lack.”
Key Legacies of Pope Francis
Marcó, who co-founded the Interreligious Dialogue Institute in Argentina with Pope Francis during his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, considers this initiative one of Francis’ most significant legacies. Other notable topics he addressed include climate change, hate speech, and the migration crisis.
“Pope Francis spoke about rich, pressing issues facing the world,” Marcó said. “If I had to define his legacy in one word, I’d call him a prophet—someone who foretells future events with grave consequences if not addressed properly in terms of human devaluation.”
Personal Reflections on Pope Francis
Marcó, who maintained open communication with Pope Francis, recalled the pontiff’s nightly ritual of writing unresolved issues on slips of paper and placing them under a picture of Saint Joseph, whom he held in high regard. He would then entrust the saint with resolving these matters while he slept.
“It was a beautiful sign for me that Pope Francis passed away peacefully in his sleep, on Holy Thursday,” Marcó shared emotionally.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main topic of this article? The Catholic Church will maintain Pope Francis’ renewal style and visionary leadership.
- Who was Pope Francis? He was the first American pope in Roman Catholic Church history, known for promoting interreligious dialogue, peace, and advocating for the poor and migrants.
- What did Pope Francis’ succession plan entail? He designated 80% of the cardinal electors responsible for choosing his successor.
- What are some of Pope Francis’ key legacies? His initiatives, such as the Interreligious Dialogue Institute in Argentina, and his focus on pressing global issues like climate change and migration.
- What was the relationship between Pope Francis and Guillermo Marcó? They maintained a close relationship for nine years, with Marcó serving as his spokesperson.
