At the extraordinary consistory, Leo also signaled his desire to continue the reforms of the late Pope Francis, who clashed with conservative cardinals in an effort to make Catholicism more inclusive, welcoming gay Catholics and debating the ordination of women.
Opening a closed-door meeting of the church’s leadership yesterday, Lav said that the Church will grow only if it is able to attract people with the message of God’s love for all, according to a statement released by the Vatican.
“Only love is reliable, only love is credible,” the pope said. “While unity attracts, divisions drive away,” he said. Massimo Faggioli, an Italian academic at Trinity College Dublin who specializes in the Vatican, said that Leo was “working to convince the cardinals that they have to cooperate to do what the Catholics want to do”.
“Leo is cautious, but I think he will continue on the path of Pope Francis,” Faggioli said. “I don’t think it’s going to go back,” he added. Francis, who led the Church for 12 years, died in April. Leo XIV, former American Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected as the new pope in May.
Out of a total of 245 cardinals worldwide, 170 are attending the summit, which ends today, the Vatican said. The cardinals have been asked to refrain from publicly commenting on the meetings to allow for frank discussions, spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
Leo, beginning his first full year as church leader, yesterday asked the cardinal for advice on the priorities he should focus on in the next two years. British Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe urged his colleagues to avoid divisions. If we fight among ourselves, he said, “we will not be useful to the Holy Father.”
(Vijesti.ba)
