CUA panel examines legacy of Pope Francis, future of the Church
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Washington D.C., May 2, 2025 / 16:38 pm (CNA).
A panel of scholars at The Catholic University of America (CUA) addressed what they believe the cardinals may be looking for when electing the next pope but acknowledged there is no way to know what direction the upcoming conclave — which begins May 7 — will go.
On Thursday, May 1, CUA chaplain Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, led a panel on the subject of Pope Francis’ legacy and the future of the Church that included CUA School of Theology dean and professor Joseph Capizzi, senior fellow for the Catholic Association Ashley McGuire, and Stephen White, executive director for the Catholic Project.
White said he believes that “at least some of the cardinals will be looking to make the case for a more regular application and appreciation for the significance of law in the Church.” He clarified: “What I’m not saying is that this past pontificate was lawless.”
“But,” he continued, “I think the rule of law and the equitable application of law is not simply about following the rules.”
From left to right: Father Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., CUA School of Theology dean and professor Joseph Capizzi, The Catholic Association senior fellow Ashley McGuire and Stephen White, executive director of The Catholic Project. Credit: Tessa Gervasini/CNA
“It’s a constituent of the common good of the Church. There’s a reason the Church has law, not just simply to be efficient. It helps to organize and maintain the common good of the Church, including the common good of the pope who wants to see that the Church’s law is not only being applied, but it’s being applied fairly. I think that would be of concern for some of the cardinals.”
McGuire said Pope Francis was “handed a couple of very difficult, acute crises that are still not fully resolved,” including abuse allegations and financial issues, and believes the next step is to put those to rest and focus on other issues.
“I think … the Church has two different problems it has to deal with,” McGuire said. “It’s got in the West this march of secularization; what’s going on in Germany, we’re bordering on heresy. And the fact that even in a place like the United States, you have regular Mass attendees who aren’t really necessarily following Church doctrine.”
“But then you have in parts of the developing world, which is where the Church is growing the fastest, regular reports of slaughter… and parishioners going to church not knowing if they’re going to survive Mass.”
“The Church has to govern two very different lived realities of being Catholic,” McGuire concluded.
Capizzi said matters like these should not be at the forefront of how the pope should be selected but rather the focus should solely be on electing “a holy man” and “a good man.”
“We’re trying to pull as many people into the boat as possible to keep them on the boat. That’s the task,” he said.
White added that the cardinals need to ask “what is the office of Peter?” and “get back to the basics” when electing the next pontiff.
With a new pope to be elected soon, the panel also reflected on Pope Francis and his legacy.
Guilbeau said Pope Francis’ belief that “the Church’s intellectual tradition, the fullness of her spiritual, liturgical, sacramental tradition is meant for everybody and emphasis on the margins” will be remembered.
They specifically mentioned his dedication to the unborn, the poor, and immigrants, and highlighted his mercy.
McGuire said she believes people will remember how Pope Francis would go out to be with the public, “physically hugging people.” In other words, “what you would picture Jesus doing.”
