Il Messaggero: A New Chapter for the Vatican

As the world mourns Pope Francis, millions gather in Rome, highlighting the enduring influence of the Church and its global connections.

Jubilee, the death of Pope Francis, and soon, the election of the new heir of Peter on the papal throne. Rome is welcoming millions of faithful from all over the world, reaffirming the central role of the Christian religion. Many faithful come from the United States, which during Pope Francis's pontificate has often been at the center of the news for its relations with the Holy See. The USA, Italy, and Vatican relationship is at the heart of the action of the Acton Institute, a think tank based in the United States with an office in Rome, which aims to connect American and Italian entrepreneurs united by the same faith, seen as a vehicle to create dialogue and unite entrepreneurship with the Church's social doctrine.

'This relationship is perhaps best represented in the image of the meeting between Trump and Zelensky. This testifies to the convening power of the Church and its enduring role as a mediator in international affairs, a great tribute to Pope Francis,' said Reverend Robert Sirico, co-founder and President Emeritus of the Acton Institute.

Sirico then outlined a precise picture of the historical moment marked these days by the Pope's death: 'If there is one thing we can all agree on regarding Francis's pontificate, it is that his leadership has been disruptive on several levels. Many will rush to assess his legacy, but this is premature, if not harmful. After all, we are still evaluating past pontificates. We can certainly say that this is a general moment of cultural polarization, and this situation has also marked the Church.'

Sirico added: 'As the Church prepares for its next chapter, the lessons of Pope Francis's pontificate will undoubtedly shape its future trajectory. His legacy remains a work in progress, a testament to the evolving nature of the papal role in the modern world. Pope Francis, with the help of Cardinal Pell and others, worked hard to reform the Vatican's finances, and this will continue to be an important task.'

This article was originally published in Il Messaggero.