Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi, Bishop Emeritus of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and responsible for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), offers Exaudi readers his weekly article.

FACTS

There were many of those, before and after the Conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, who wished to see someone elected who would reverse some of the reforms promoted by Pope Francis. They continue to believe that he made doctrinal and pastoral errors, for example, because he allowed a private blessing to be given to homosexuals without equating it with a marriage rite; Because he restricted the use of Latin in the Mass when that language is used, so as not to implement the provisions of the Second Vatican Council and to break ecclesial unity; because they say that some points were left vague in Chapter VIII of the Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, regarding the possibility of granting Communion in extraordinary cases to those living in irregular marital situations; because they say that the issue of ecclesial synodality was lacking in terms of precision, as if the importance of the hierarchy were diminished, and we were falling into a democratic system; because he gave more room to women in leadership positions; because he insisted so much on caring for the environment and universal brotherhood, etc. Without being well-informed, they judged and condemned Pope Francis, but he remained faithful to divine Revelation and the Magisterium of the Church.

Pope Leo XIV, in his own style, is continuing what was promoted not only by Pope Francis but also by those who came before him, but giving it his own nuance, in keeping with his personality. Pope Francis was very spontaneous in his responses, which at times could give the impression of being unorthodox, as when he said: Who am I to judge and condemn a homosexual? … The Church is for everyone, everyone, everyone… In the rites of indigenous peoples, like those of the Amazon, not everything is idolatry… The Church is feminine… The doors of the sacraments should not be closed for any reason, etc. This, which Pope Francis stated on several occasions, is not about being lenient, as if anything goes in the Church, but about openness and respect for those who live in unusual situations.

ENLIGHTENMENT

The model for Leo XIV is not only Francis and his predecessors, but Jesus Christ. There is no other way. He is the only truth, the only way, the only life. The only Gospel of Jesus is what we contribute to the world, and that is the fundamental criterion for the Pope and for us. Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman, but asked her to change her life. Perhaps we should have emphasized more the change of life, and not just the merciful attitude. The Pope is the successor of Peter, but above all, a disciple of Jesus.

On several occasions, Leo XIV expressed his respect and affection for Pope Francis, but without losing the centrality of Jesus, as when he said in his first address to the cardinals: The Pope, from Saint Peter to me, his unworthy successor, is a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this. This has been well demonstrated by the examples of many of my predecessors, such as that of Pope Francis himself, with his style of total dedication to service and sober, essential life, of abandonment to God during the time of the mission and serene trust at the moment of returning to the House of the Father. Let us take up this precious heritage and resume the journey, encouraged by the same hope that comes to us from faith.

It is the Risen One, present among us, who protects and guides the Church, and continues to rekindle her in hope, through the love that “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5).

We have seen the true greatness of the Church, which lives in the diversity of her members, united to her one Head, Christ, “the Shepherd and Guardian” (1 Pet 2:25) of our souls… I would like us to renew together, today, our full commitment to this path, to the path that the universal Church has been following for decades in the footsteps of the Second Vatican Council. Pope Francis has masterfully recalled and updated its content in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, from which I would like to highlight some fundamental aspects: the return to the primacy of Christ in proclamation; the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community; growth in collegiality and synodality; Attention to the sensus fidei, especially in its most distinctive and inclusive forms, such as popular piety; the loving care of the weak and discarded; and courageous and confident dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities.

These are the principles of the Gospel that have always animated and inspired the life and work of the Family of God; of the values ​​through which the merciful face of the Father has been revealed and continues to be revealed in the Son made man, the ultimate hope of all who sincerely seek truth, justice, peace, and fraternity (10-V-2025).

ACTIONS

The Holy Spirit, through the cardinal electors, has given us Pope Leo XIV; let us have an open mind and heart to what God wants to indicate through him, so that, together as a Church and as humanity, we may help build the Kingdom of God in our realities: truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love, and peace.