From the Editor’s Desk

Mar 22, 2025

By Patricia Pereira
As Pope Francis marked the twelfth anniversary of his papacy on March 13, his health added a poignant layer to this milestone. For over a month, he has been recovering from a lung infection at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. While his prognosis is improving, and there is hope for his return to the Vatican soon, his absence has highlighted a deeper aspect of his leadership. This anniversary fell not only amid his extended absence but also after significant achievements, including the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality and the opening of the Holy Door for the Jubilee year.

In this challenging moment, Pope Francis personifies the vulnerability he has long spoken about — the fragility of human existence and the importance of embracing it as part of the Christian faith. His current situation reflects the nature of his papacy, which stands in contrast to the image of a corporate manager often associated with the head of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has emphasised that the papacy is not about power or administrative efficiency, but about humble service and spiritual guidance. He has consistently warned against the temptation of spiritual worldliness — the notion that the Church can rely on its own strength, rather than reflecting God’s light. As He has said, “without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5).

Even as his health falters, this understanding of leadership continues to vibrate. Pope Francis’ calls for peace, compassion, and dialogue — especially amid global tensions — remain vital. His daily prayers and encouragement for people to pray for him have fostered a sense of solidarity between him and the faithful worldwide. His embrace of fragility serves as a powerful reminder of what true leadership in the Church looks like: not invincibility, but a dependence on God and love for others.

At the same time, the Pope’s absence has raised questions about the direction of the Church in his stead. Pope Francis has deliberately distanced himself from the Vatican’s traditional courtly structure, which was common under previous popes. Unlike his predecessors, who were surrounded by influential figures, Pope Francis has cultivated a smaller, more informal inner circle. His trusted secretaries — Fr Daniel Pellizzon and Fr Juan Cruz Villalon, both from Buenos Aires — and Calabrian Fr Fabio Salerno, play crucial roles in his daily life, ensuring the continuity of his mission even when he is unable to participate in public activities. Fr Pellizzon, in particular, exemplifies the Pope’s reliance on longstanding relationships, having worked with Francis from before his papacy.

Although figures like Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, continue to wield influence, Pope Francis has largely shifted the governance of the Church away from the central apparatus of the Roman Curia. Since the beginning of his papacy, he has critiqued the Curia’s power dynamics and sought to decentralise authority. His restructuring of the Curia, including the establishment of the Council of Cardinals (C9), reflects his desire to involve a broader network of global voices in the Church’s decision-making. The Pope’s appointments of close allies, like Cardinal Marcello Semeraro and Fr Antonio Spadaro, to key positions accentuate his strategy of relying on those who share his vision for a more responsive Church.

Pope Francis has also turned to his fellow Jesuits and compatriots from Argentina for support. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, a close friend from the Aparecida Conference, has been appointed to lead the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most influential positions in the Vatican. Other Argentine figures, such as Emilce Cuda, have also been placed in important roles, ensuring that the Pope’s vision is effectively carried out in the Vatican’s operations.

One of the most notable aspects of Pope Francis’ leadership is his commitment to reform and rejuvenation within the Vatican’s ranks. He has appointed younger, dynamic individuals, such as Salvatore Cernuzio and Gleison de Paula Souza, to energise the Vatican’s outreach to contemporary issues like family life and communications. This infusion of new talent, alongside the continued guidance of figures like Cardinal Joseph Farrell, ensures that the Pope’s vision for a Church in tune with the needs of its people remains at the forefront, even as he takes time to recover.

Pope Francis’ papacy has always been characterised by pastoral care and humility, and his current health situation only highlights the wisdom behind his leadership. Despite facing a health crisis, his moral authority remains a powerful force in the world. His commitment to mercy, peace, and solidarity continues to inspire millions, even from the confines of his hospital room. His legacy will not be defined by displays of power, but by his steadfast commitment to faith, compassion, and human dignity.

In this moment of frailty, Pope Francis offers the world a lesson in true leadership. It is not about strength or authority but about love, vulnerability, and a willingness to be led by God’s grace. The Church still needs his voice, and the world still needs his example.