Pope Francis' approach did not win him friends within the church bureaucracy. But he lit the path for us all | Francis Sullivan
Briefly

Pope Francis initiated his papacy highlighting mercy as God's foremost attribute, intending to address the church’s past divisions. He recognized the church's failures in inclusion, particularly regarding the LGBTQ community, women, and divorced individuals. He dedicated himself to reforming the clergy's response to the sex abuse scandal, acknowledging previous popes' shortcomings. Although conservative inertia resisted his changes, Francis aimed to enhance collaboration between clergy and laypeople, asserting the importance of prioritizing victims over institutional image. His rapid shift from protectiveness to accountability marked his commitment to achieving meaningful reform within the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis recognized the church's need for mercy over doctrine, particularly to engage those alienated by its past divisive practices.
Despite initial missteps, Pope Francis committed to reforming the church's handling of sex abuse, advocating for transparency and accountability over image preservation.
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