Pope Francis begins a new process for Catholic reforms, indicating his intention to continue

The Vatican announced on Saturday that Pope Francis, 88, has approved a new three-year process to examine reforms for the global Catholic Church. This is a hint that the pope intends to stay in his position despite his ongoing struggle with double pneumonia.

Francis has expanded the work of the Synod of Bishops, a hallmark program of his 12-year pontificate, which has addressed changes including the potential for women to serve as Catholic deacons and improved inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in the Church.

For the next three years, the synod will consult with Catholics worldwide before having a second summit in 2028. The synod convened an inconclusive Vatican summit of bishops on the future of the Church.

Francis, who is receiving treatment at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, accepted the new reform process on Tuesday, the Vatican announced on Saturday.

More than a month has passed since the pope’s hospitalization, and his extended public absence has fueled rumors that he would decide to step down as pope like Benedict XVI did.

He has no plans to stand down, however, according to his friends and biographers, and the acceptance of a new three-year process showed that he wants to stay, even though he is elderly and may have to endure a lengthy and difficult recovery from pneumonia due to his age and other medical concerns.

“The Holy Father… is helping push the renewal of the Church toward a new missionary impulse,” Cardinal Mario Grech, the Church leader in charge of the reform process, told the Vatican’s news agency. “This is truly a sign of hope.”

“UP TO DATE” CHURCH BRINGING

There were concerns that Francis’ reign was coming to an end following the unsatisfactory Vatican meeting last October, which produced no firm action on potential reforms.

Francis was still thinking about potential reforms, according to Vatican officials at the time, and was awaiting ten anticipated reports on the subject in June.

The pope is getting better and is no longer in imminent danger of dying, according to the Vatican’s most recent medical briefings on his status in the hospital.

When he will be released from the hospital has not been disclosed.

As the pope recovers, supporters have been lining up outside the hospital every day to show their support for Francis.

Speaking on Saturday, Stefania Gianni, an Italian undergoing cancer treatment at the center, said Francis “has taken great steps to bring the Church up to date with the times.”

“He is a great man and a great pope, and the Church still needs him,” she said.