A religious leader is dead and with him a historic, and controversial era for the Catholic community. That is the dramatic impact of the death of a Pope like Francis, which leaves behind a new side of the eternal dichotomy: conservative or liberal theology. Is the end of a religious or political leadership? Is it possible to conceive a religious leader beyond political issues?

Religion is an ideology in itself, however, is it used not only for establishing values and moral behavior to further faith and spiritual commitment, but also for social and political judgment.

Ideologies, social, political, religious, and economic are supposed to be different, and defended by diverse leaders, however, in the Catholic Church, at the institutional level, they are just one ideology that serves as an umbrella for the rest. As a result: a complete system of values, beliefs, principles, and actions connected one to the other, with a certain level of coherence and consistency for Media purposes.

Preaching the Gospel involves much more than just a religious ideology, is an unavoidable political fact as their leaders would be irremediably aligned with one or the other political position. There is a thin line between one, and the other. Is precisely when politics, and religion are mixed, that the conflict erupts. Maybe because is not easy to establish boundaries, and when a leader is strictly political or religious it will have an equal impact on the moral, and social values framework, therefore the society as a whole.

Under these contradictions, Pope Francis was identified as a “left-wing” leader. Is that true? Was he a conservative, a populist, or a revolutionary? -under the light of the reforms that he furthered-. In the end, ideologically, Catholicism  -not necessarily as an institution- holds a very important humanitarian mission focused mainly in vulnerable populations. A traditional feature of a left-wing doctrine. However, a conservative focus for the current trends in the big topics: abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, LTGB, gender policies, etc., in general associated with the right-wing doctrine. Without a doubt an ideology centered on the most vulnerable, within conservative principles. This paradox, either for Analysts, public opinion, or at the institutional level is a true challenge, although the very essence of Catholicism.

On the same controversial way, was preached by Jesus Christ: “I did not come to bring peace..”, “For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household’”[1]

In a sense the Church “face one to each other”, “separate”, and “make mess”[2] as Pope Francis recently invited the youth to do so, in a way to give power to the roughest truth, that is to move consistently with Jesus Christ´s principles and not within an institutional coherence.

Is it about a communication strategy or strictly religious leadership? More and more Media is placed at the very first priority in the agenda. For its part, digitalization also marks a turning point for public projection, having as a result a politically correct message, not always faithful with the truth.

Each Pope established their personal leadership style. Is with Pope Francis that we realize how important is for Vatican’s leaders to become truly global to make a difference.The Catholic church was one of the first global institutions in humanity before any idea of a globalization system was conceived. A resilient model of a global system with a centralized structure, and their Nation. With offices all over the world, their internal political management makes sure to retain power from the headquarters.

Disseminated around the world, Catholicism has introduced itself as a successful model that combines rigidity, and flexibility to adapt to each culture, -as in the case of Africa or Latin America-, accepting diverse rules without crossing the redline on crosscutting issues. Much different from other religions that internationalize their beliefs, although without an axis.

However, it was not until now, that we entered into a new era of pretended global standards, and a political agenda that literally is searching for cancelling religion and tradition, that the clash became inevitable.

One of the most paradigmatic and controversial leaders was John Paul II, a model of political leadership, and a great manager of the steps taken to bring the Church to the next level of power. Engage in many political processes, like the Iraq war, Rwanda, Persian Gulf war, El Salvador regimen, among others, John Paul II, accepted the contradictions needed to keep the balance, even against liberation theology principles (described later by Pope Benedict XVI as a “fundamental threat”) agreed that: “we are convinced, that the theology of liberation is not only timely but useful and necessary”[3]. Same happened with Pope Francis in a conflictive relationship with the doctrine, We may see that political ideology enters into conflict with religion; although it becomes the true driver for many changes.

The new Pope should be able to preserve Catholic principles, make strong reforms, or just keep the stability of a fragile structure hit by the sexual abuses, financial fraud, and loss of faith in the Church by their followers?. Is indeed the question, that Pope Francis answered firmly and determined by attempting to address topics that has never been even mentioned before: “who am I  to judge ?-about an homosexual person-” [4]Certainly not without critics: “The Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante (Spain) has removed Father Francisco José Vegara “from any office or position” after several months of trying to dissuade him from his repeated accusations that Pope Francis is a “heretic” and an invalidly elected Pontiff”.”[5]Once again the contradiction between doctrine and engagement with a modern society.

Rejecting popularity, and keep attachment to the doctrine, or instead a political decision that allows openness, and maybe an unexplored “nichemarket” of new faithful? Is that the real goal? Does the Church need more followers like a political party or just preserving traditional principles by all means?The current political map influences negatively, and irreversibly all these goals, and threatens to bring them down.

In any way, a conservative or revolutionary new Pope should make reforms to adapt to the new challenges, and fight back non transparent political agendas. That is the real challenge and the reason that I perceive as irrelevant the debate about conservative vs revolutionary within the Catholic Church. The more is inserted in the global political map, the more exposed is to new trends, and even if the institutional goal is not about being “fashionable”, is not less true that adaptation to a political context allows to become stronger, and sustainable in the long-term by reaching more people with their message -not necessary more Members- therefore becoming a true influencer.

Principles are not actions; traditions are not updated institutions. Keeping their principles intact, yet adapting to new realities, preserving traditions although modernized to the point that become popular or even “fashionable”. The point is to find the balance in between, is it here the risk to fail, and only a leader with vision may rescue the institution by joining efforts and gathering all theological doctrines harmonically as far as possible.

Pope Francis was a bold leader that set the stage for building the Church as a reflexive institution able to learn from their mistakes, and re-write their actions from the power that delivers immutable values and principles within the courage to become an outsider institution from the current global changes, if needed. Without fear of losing popularity, if the statement is not pacifically accepted.

A pragmatic or utopian leader, in any case, Pope Francis will be remembered the way he wanted: “a Pastor, and not a Sate Cleric”.[6][7]

[1] Matthew 10: 35-36

[2] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/27720/pope-to-youth-shake-things-up-bring-church-to-the-streets

[3] https://www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/liberation-theology-useful-and-necessary

[4] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/33231/pope-francis-explains-who-am-i-to-judge-in-his-new-book

[5] https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/103341/obispado-aparta-a-sacerdote-que-acusa-al-papa-francisco-de-hereje-e-invalido

[6] https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/francis-chronicles/pope-francis-i-would-love-church-poor

[7]https://www.vaticannews.va/es/papa/news/2023-03/papa-francisco-entrevista-padre-guillermo-marco-infobae-argentin.html