A look into the future: Pope Franziskus Erbe and his successor

The choice of a new Pope that will follow Pope Francis faces a number of challenges and expectations. While Francis initiated numerous reforms in the Catholic Church during his term, it is unclear to what extent his successor will continue these initiatives. It is expected that the new Pope has consistently continued to pursue the course that Francis has taken, especially in terms of topics such as social justice, ecological responsibility and interreligious dialogue.

A central concern under Francis was the synodal way in Germany, which tries to reform the structures of the church and to promote the dialogue between the believers and the management of the church. Jochen Sautermeister, member of the German Ethics Council, expresses concerns about possible divisions within the church, especially if the new Pope is not willing to support or recognize the synodal way.

Another aspect that needs to be taken into account is the role of laypeople within the church. Francis gave the laypersons a stronger voice, which in the past has led to tensions with more conservative forces within the church. The new Pope will face the challenge of finding a balance between the different currents within the Catholic community and at the same time driving the necessary reforms.

Overall, expectations of the new Pope are high, especially at a time when the Catholic Church faces external and internal challenges. A stronger commitment to the reforms started by Francis could be crucial to gain the trust of the faithful and to lead the church into a positive future.