2025, Deusto

The Pope of the Third Millennium: Life, Vocation, and Challenges of the New Pontiff

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away, leaving the Church at a crossroads. Loved and questioned for his reforms, his death triggered a conclave without clear favorites, amid underlying geopolitical tensions. In León XIV, Mario Escobar examines Francis’s legacy and the challenge facing his successor: leading a Church shaken by scandals, internal divisions, and an urgent need for renewal. This essay explores the power, faith, and future of the papacy in the 21st century, shedding light on the obstacles confronting Robert Prevost, elected in a context of institutional crisis, unresolved scandals, and a growing struggle between renewal and conservatism.