Il Papa: The Church of Pope Francis

Vantage Point Radio at the University of Notre Dame

Pope Francis is credited with having a humble, less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors, favoring simpler vestments and washing the feet of refugees. His emphasis on God’s mercy and a concern for the poor has made him very popular with some, but his actions have drawn criticism from even those within the Vatican. Among some conservative Catholics, there is a feeling of uncertainty absent since the often-chaotic aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, in the 1960s and ’70s. While committed to interfaith dialogue, Vatican transparency, and mercy in response to moral issues, the Church has been slow to any change of doctrine. The intense media coverage and popularity of Pope Francis has reopened some questions about the Roman Catholic Church in the twenty-first century. Lawrence Cunningham, Father Brian E. Daley, SJ, and Celia Deane-Drummond are three theological scholars at the University of Notre Dame. These three theology experts join us to discuss, what is the Church of Pope Francis?