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The reign of Pope Francis ended on Easter Monday, marking nearly 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church.
The office of the Pope is one of the most integral titles in Christianity and Western civilization. Historically, the Pope’s influence on societal issues has been paramount throughout each generation.
Today, the Roman Catholic Church remains the largest body of Christianity in the world. Needless to say, the pope’s influence is significant, including on global peace and humanitarian efforts.
The process is straightforward: a cardinal will become the next pope, chosen by his counterparts. There’s little reason to speculate on who might be appointed, as such decisions remain internal conversations. In reality, there could be up to 100 different candidates for the next pope, given the current number of over 200 cardinals. Currently, 135 cardinals are eligible to vote, and the elected pope must receive at least 90 votes to secure the office.
Regardless of who becomes the next pope, there’s a valid argument that such a choice might be the most important the papacy has made in several generations. Christianity, while rising in parts of the globe such as Africa, is suffering in the Western world, as seen in opinion polls, church attendance, and a lack of commitment to the faith.
Pope Francis, known for his humanitarian efforts and heart towards refugees, was relatively quiet on some pivotal issues. It is fair to assert that the papacy now has an opportunity to be more vocal and firmer on major societal problems negatively affecting the Western world, especially the increasing deviation from core biblical principles and Christian morality, which has affected education, the workplace, and the family dynamic.
Christians, including Roman Catholics, should never be classified or discussed in purely conservative or liberal terms, as if faith were just another political ideology. However, orthodox, traditional beliefs—derived from the Bible—are important, and should inevitably be the cornerstone of any Christian sect, including the largest body of Christians worldwide, the Roman Catholic Church.
Undoubtedly, Rome has a unique past that is deeply tied to the office of the papacy and its traditions. However, there have also been popes whose legacy was centered on the authority of Scripture and the teachings of Jesus Christ in more dominant and faithful ways.
Rome has an opportunity to stand against the darkness of this age by choosing a leader who embodies the teachings of Christ and upholds the foundational moral principles shared across Christian traditions. The world remains in turmoil, with wars, Christian persecution, and a shifting Western hemisphere that is increasingly choosing secularism over Christianity.
The papacy might be just as important now as ever before for the sake of Christianity as a whole. Christianity is not about one person, but the influence of the Roman Catholic Church is significant. An affirmation of the central teachings of Jesus Christ as found in Scripture, which serves as a foundational guide for all Christians, remains the only hope for a fallen world to grasp for any sense of hope or peace.
While the papacy is especially notable and vital to Catholics, all Christians are interested in the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Their teachings have had a lasting impact worldwide, both historically and in the present day.
