As the College of Cardinals gather in the Vatican for the papal conclave this week, the attention of Catholics around the world has turned once again to Rome. While this is a deeply spiritual event for members of the Church, it is also an important political moment that will impact the lives of many others across the world. As the white smoke rises, we will learn not only of the new Pope, but crucially, the political direction of the Catholic Church into the 21st century.
The ramifications of the next leader will be felt far beyond the walls of the Sistine Chapel, including across the 27 member states of the EU. Europe is home to over 20% of the world’s Catholic population, while across Italy, Poland and Spain, Catholics make up over 90% of the resident population. Unsurprisingly, the Church remains one of the most powerful institutions in the EU with the ability to set the agenda in parliaments, policies and public life.
As a Member of the European Parliament, I see how the faith of a person, community and country can work its influence into decision making and debates, particularly on human rights, migration, education and healthcare. Given this influence, what does Europe need from the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church?
LGBTQI+ Community
As a Catholic LGBTQI+ person, there have been times where I felt like an “other” within my faith. The Catholic Church has let myself, and my peers, down on more than one occasion. However, the remarkable steps taken by Pope Francis have had a monumental impact on the lives of many LGBTQI+ members.
In 2023, Pope Francis permitted the blessing of same-sex couples, the same year in which the Vatican changed their policy to allow gay men to enter the priesthood. The Pope’s relationship with the LGBTQI+ community, however, was not without its complexities and challenges. He maintained the Vatican’s traditional position that homosexual acts are sinful, but also said that gay people should not be marginalised from the Church with his now famous line; ‘Who am I to judge?’.
I have sat across from Irish priests in parish halls and shared the reality of what it means to be a practicing Catholic and a member of the LGBTQI+ community. I have also met people who have walked away from their faith because of the frustratingly slow pace of change. While some progress has been made, a long distance remains from where we need to be.
Sadly it is not a given that the incoming Pontiff will continue with Pope Francis’ LGBTQI+ agenda. Several Papal frontrunners are reported to take a far more conservative stance, such as Italy’s Cardinal Pietro Parolin who has failed to support the Vatican’s condemnation of the criminalization of same-sex relations.
At a time when LGBTQI+ rights are under threat across the world, including within the EU, members of the Church must voice their support for our community and leave the next Pontiff in no doubt of the need to show real inclusion and true equality.The Middle East
As I write this, over fifty two thousand six hundred and fifty people have been killed in the brutal war in Gaza. It is a decimation of innocent lives. The incoming Pope must continue Pope Francis’ unwavering commitment to peace, especially in the Middle East. Pope Francis did not limit himself to symbolic gestures, his words were matched by actions such as nightly calls to Gaza and his request for the popemobile to be turned into a health clinic for Palestinian children. His leadership showed us that faith should never be neutral in the face of grave injustice.
The next leader now has an opportunity to build on Pope Francis’ legacy. One step to be considered during his first weeks in office could be the potential for a Papal visit to the Middle East, echoing Pope Francis’ visit to the region, including Palestine, during the first year of his papacy. At a time when there is a vacuum of moral leadership from some quarters on the need for peace in the Middle East, the Church must act as a counterbalance – reminding the world of the urgent need for dialogue, humanitarian access, and above all, the protection of innocent lives.
Migration
The Catholic Church has long played a role on the issue of migration, including contributing to the creation of the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Pope Francis brought much needed moral clarity to the migration debate, during an era of polarisation and dangerous anti-migrant rhetoric. As the son of immigrants himself, he placed the humanitarian needs of migrants above political dogwhistling. His visits to refugee camps, internal Church reforms and his direct support for border communities gave a human face to a crisis often reduced to statistics and headlines.
As an MEP sitting on the Parliament’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee, I know that Pope Francis’ compassion can too often be missing from our conversations on European migration policy. Fear-based narratives can take precedent over empathy for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. The new Pope must challenge these narratives, particularly through meaningful action such as continued Church reforms, meeting with migrants directly and challenging political leaders across the world.
Conclusion
LGBTQI+ rights, lasting peace and compassion for the vulnerable. These issues are integral to my work as an MEP but more importantly, they represent three areas where Europe requires courageous leadership from the 267th Pope. It is often said that the Catholic Church thinks in centuries. However, the challenges of today do not allow for such a delay.
Pope Francis’ legacy is undoubtedly marred by unfinished business. In addition to advocating on these crucial global challenges, focus must also be turned inward to continue with much-needed institutional reform of the Church. If the next Pontiff fails to get his house in order, his capacity for influence in all other areas will be much diminished.
