Pope Francis: Theology needs a female perspective, it is incomplete with men alone

In the Vatican, Pope Francis addressed the participants of the International Congress on the Future of Theology, organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education. In his speech, he called for this discipline to become “accessible to all” and to play a key role in “rethinking thought” in an increasingly complex world. He stressed the need to include the female perspective in theology, stating that “a theology of men alone is a half-baked theology.”

Theology as a Revealing Light

Addressing the more than 450 attendees, including professors, researchers and deans from various parts of the world, the Pope stressed that theology must be like light: discreet, gentle and humble, illuminating the truths of the Gospel without exhibitionism. Through this metaphor, he urged theologians to seek and remain in the grace of friendship with Christ, who is the true light of the world.

The Importance of the Female Contribution

Francis stressed that theology must be born from friendship with Christ and love for humanity, a world he described as “dramatic and magnificent at the same time.” He noted that the Congress is a crucial opportunity to determine whether the theological legacy of the past can meet contemporary challenges and help imagine a better future. In this context, he insisted that theology needs the female contribution, since “there are things that only women can intuit.”

Rethinking Thought

The Pope expressed his desire for theology to contribute to “rethinking thought,” arguing that broad and generous thinking leads to creative and courageous decisions. He warned against the tendency to oversimplify reality, something he considered a destructive process that generates sterile and polarizing ideologies.

Against Simplifying Ideologies

Ideologies, according to Francis, are simplifications that kill reality, thought and community. They propose a single idea repeated obsessively, which impoverishes debate and fragments society. As a remedy, he suggested integrating theology with other disciplines such as philosophy, literature, arts and sciences, fostering a richer and more multidimensional approach to thought.

Making Theology Accessible

Finally, the Pope addressed the growing demand for a deeper understanding of faith among middle-aged men and women, many of them already graduates. He called for the doors of theological faculties to always be open to those who wish to seek and find answers in their journey of faith.

In short, Pope Francis advocated for an inclusive and accessible theology, enriched by the female perspective and open to dialogue with other disciplines, as a means of illuminating and transforming thought in the contemporary context.