For the first time in modern history, a sitting pope and a retired pope shared the scene this Thursday. He presided over Benedict’s funeral, a ceremony held in the Vatican as the two men lived in the shadow of history for nearly a decade. The event underscored a deep split within the Catholic Church between its conservative and progressive wings, a rift about the identity of the millennial institution and the path it should take. The stage was set for a new phase of the papacy under Jorge Bergoglio, known to many as Francisco. Some observers believe Francisco will be less inclined to back the broad reform agenda that some wanted him to pursue.
Benedict XVI’s funeral, tailored to the reality that the deceased was a retired pope, became a focal point of tension between the two factions. Critics took to social networks and blogs, accusing the celebration of straying from traditional rites during public ceremonies, particularly imputing a lack of adherence to the ancient Roman liturgy. The concerns echoed past debates about the Latin Mass and the so‑called motu proprio traditions invoked during Benedict’s era, which had aimed to preserve older rites under strict conditions.
The Argentine pope has altered what Benedict prepared. Benedict had issued measures in line with allowing Latin celebrations to soothe old loyalties, yet Francisco has shown a different approach. His recent moves signaled a pull toward reunifying the church around the spirit of renewal proclaimed by the Second Vatican Council, the council that sought to bring the church into closer contact with modern life. As a result, the use of ancient rites would be restricted to unusual circumstances and require explicit permission from bishops or the Vatican itself.
The anger of Benedict’s ex-secretary
Georg Gänswein, Benedict’s former secretary, remained a close confidant until the pope’s passing and later shared his thoughts with a German Catholic newspaper, Dei Tagespost. Describing himself as a cautious conservative, Gänswein explained in a recent interview that Benedict’s desire was to help those attached to the old order find peace and preserve unity within the church. He indicated that Benedict hoped to guide devotees toward a sense of spiritual home while avoiding schisms with groups like the Lefebvrists, whose traditionalist stance had created a lasting fracture with Rome after their excommunication in 1970.
Gänswein argued that Benedict’s aim was to support reconciliation among traditionalists and the broader church, but the conflict with Francisco quickly became public. Benedict’s goal, he suggested, was to draw traditionalists closer without capitulating to pressures that would undermine Rome’s authority. The clash intensified as the pope in Argentina moved the conversation toward reform, and the old guard resisted what they saw as destabilizing changes.
Critics pointed to the neglect of the traditional rite as a sign of broader shifts. Some observers suggested that the funeral became a flashpoint for a wider debate about whether to liberalize the Latin Mass and other ancient rites, a topic that has long polarized church circles and raised questions about the direction of Roman Catholic worship in today’s world.
The debate resurfaced amid ongoing tensions within the church, with right‑leaning voices in the United States arguing for stronger alignment with conservative theology, while more progressive factions, led by clergy in Germany and beyond, pressed for changes such as expanding roles for women and reconsidering celibacy requirements. Proponents of reform have pushed for more inclusive governance and renewed engagement with modern issues facing lay Catholics.
The central question now is how truly pragmatic a pope Francisco can be. Will he push forward with reforms in his later years, or will he pause in response to pushback from the conservative current? Several interviews have hinted at a cautious openness, a stance analysts interpret as a signal that the church may embark on a measured path rather than dramatic upheaval. One such discussion appeared in a recent interview with a major newspaper, where the pope alluded to possible future steps without offering a firm timetable. trusted observers noted that any movement will likely balance continuity with necessary adaptation, aiming to keep unity while addressing real concerns within the global church.
The calendar also holds another milestone. March marks ten years since the Argentine pope began his leadership. A veteran priest, now 86, may find the political and spiritual climate more conducive to advocating reforms that his predecessor hesitated to endorse. The coming years could reveal a more confident push toward change, even as the church continues to navigate the delicate line between tradition and renewal.