Farewell to Pope Francis: A renewer leaves the stage!

Farewell to Pope Francis: A renewer leaves the stage!

Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, reacted to the death of Pope Francis and recognized him as a "great pope" and brave renewers. In an emotional explanation, Bätzing shows deep grief and emphasizes that Francis was very important to be among the people and to venture into the edges of society. His work in the Catholic Church is considered formative and directional, in particular by initiating the synodal church.

The way that Francis has taken is described as irreversible, especially with regard to the general meetings of the world synod, which took place in 2023 and 2024. * Radio Bielefeld* reports that the Pope set several significant accents during his term in office that have brought the church and its members closer together. Bätzing also describes Francis as a "bridge builder" and emphasizes that saying goodbye to him is taken with great gratitude as a philanthropist and fisherman.

the synodal movement

At the world synod, the basic features for comprehensive changes within the Catholic Church were developed. * Katholisch.de* emphasizes that this has been the first reform since the second Vaticanum from 1962 to 1965. The synodal process initiated by Francis is continuously implemented in the local churches worldwide.

The goals of this reform include a stronger say in the “people of God”, more transparency and accountability for church superiors as well as the opening of the church for disadvantaged or excluded groups. It will be told that as part of this synod, concerns have been loud whether a bishop's synod was unthinkable with laypersons, but this was refuted, as a non-cleric, including women, the opportunity to take part in these synods.

a lasting legacy

The results of the world synod, which ended in Rome at the weekend, represent the end of an almost four -year process, in the course of which numerous teaching expressions, documents and surveys were published. The idea of ​​"synodality" shaped by Francis is a central topic in the current church policy debate.

While Francis formulated the principles to implement these reforms, further changes in church law are already seen in preparation. The Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech and the Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich played central roles in the development and implementation of these reforms.

The last word of the Pope will be remembered, because during the final service he donated the blessing and thus confirmed the continued path of the church, which continues after his death.