Questions raised over Pope Francis ideological footprint left from his papal tenure by Guardian article.

One of the defining characteristics of the papacy of the late Pope Francis was his seemingly progressive nature, compared to his two predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI.  

Throughout his near 12 years as Pontiff he came out with attitudes towards certain issues that showed maybe under his leadership the catholic faith could finally modernise and adapt to our changing world.  

Julian Coman of The Guardian points this out in his article, ‘Pope Francis: outsider who’s reforming mission made him an ally of progressives’. 

The article itself is an overall critique of whether Francis was as progressive as he came across, beginning with the initial reception to the election of then Cardinal Bergoglio, before helpfully reminding us of all the traditional values and laws that carried on during his tenure as Bishop of Rome.  

Coman wrote “in doctrinal terms, Francis remained firmly within the letter of existing canon law”. Pointing out his allegiances with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Miloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over their steadfast opposition to abortion and Francis’ refusal to even acknowledge the idea of women becoming priests. 

He adds, “it would be a mistake, therefore, to view Francis’ papacy as a liberal one”, before countering his own points with Francis other activist ideas, migrant and climate justice. This article really is just a man arguing his own points, but he manages to present two solid arguments for and against the notion of Pope Francis being in some shape of form a progressive.  

To me the importance of Francis being a progressive doesn’t just lie in his legacy as a pope, but in the choosing of his successor in the current political and social climate. 

 Coman laments on this also, “the next conclave will be defined by a struggle between those who want to turn the clock back to the time of John Paul II and Benedict, and those fighting to defend Francis essentially progressive legacy”.  

The world has already seen conservatism and other right leaning ideologies rear their heads onto the global scale again. Trump’s second term being the crown jewel atop the populist crown, but when the white smoke clears will they be celebrating a conclave victory as well?