By Mbula Peninah | The Common Pulse/latest new/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025
Pope Leo Stops Church Reforms
When Pope Leo announced his decision to halt Church reforms, the Catholic world was thrown into renewed debate. For years, progressive Catholics had anticipated bold moves toward inclusivity and modernization, but Leo’s early leadership has made it clear that the brakes are firmly on. His papacy seems committed to slowing down or completely shelving reforms initiated during Pope Francis’s era, such as discussions on same-sex blessings, synodality, and women’s roles. By stopping reforms, Pope Leo is signaling that his vision is less about change and more about preserving continuity in faith and doctrine.
Doctrine Unchanged Gay Marriage Women Deacons
One of the clearest signs of Pope Leo’s stance comes from his refusal to alter the Church’s teaching on gay marriage and women deacons. Despite mounting global pressure, particularly from Catholics in Europe and the Americas, he insists that marriage remains defined as a sacrament between a man and a woman. Likewise, the debate around women serving as deacons has been firmly closed, with Leo citing centuries of Church teaching and apostolic tradition as justification. This position has pleased traditionalists but left reform advocates questioning whether the Catholic Church risks falling further out of step with the modern world.
Traditional Values vs Progressive Church
The clash between traditional values and progressive aspirations has never been more visible. On one side, conservative Catholics see Pope Leo’s leadership as a restoration of authentic Catholic teaching in the face of cultural relativism. On the other, progressives argue that the Church is failing to live up to its mission of mercy, compassion, and relevance in today’s society. This divide highlights a fundamental question: should the Church stand as an immovable guardian of tradition, or should it evolve with the times to better serve its flock? Pope Leo’s choices so far lean heavily toward the first option.
Observers have described Pope Leo’s approach as a sharp conservative turn, especially compared to the more open and dialogical style of Pope Francis. While Francis encouraged dialogue on sensitive issues even when the doctrine remained unchanged Leo seems more interested in drawing hard lines. His speeches often emphasize moral clarity, doctrinal fidelity, and the dangers of diluting truth for the sake of popularity. For supporters, this shows strength and conviction. For critics, it demonstrates an unwillingness to face the realities of modern Catholic life.
Reforms Paused Vatican Doctrine
By pausing reforms, Pope Leo is asserting that Vatican doctrine is not up for negotiation. In his view, doctrine provides stability and continuity in a world that is constantly shifting. Supporters argue that this steadfastness is what keeps the Catholic Church from being swept away by passing cultural trends. Critics counter that it risks turning the Church into a rigid institution, unwilling to adapt even when adaptation may be necessary to retain relevance and credibility. The pause on reforms therefore represents not just a decision about theology, but about the Church’s role in society itself.
LGBTQ Questions Church Teaching
The LGBTQ community had hoped for a more inclusive direction under Pope Leo, building on the small steps made by Pope Francis. But his position is firm: while pastoral care and compassion for LGBTQ Catholics is important, doctrinal teaching on sexuality cannot change. This stance reflects the Vatican’s long-held view that sexual ethics are grounded in unchanging moral truths. For LGBTQ Catholics, however, the result feels like a door slammed shut. While they may be welcomed as individuals, their relationships and identities remain unrecognized within Church structures, fueling frustration and even alienation.
Women Deacons Debate
The question of women deacons has been a major flashpoint in the Church for decades. Many reformers argue that opening the permanent diaconate to women would provide not only equality but also strengthen pastoral care in underserved communities. Pope Leo, however, has reiterated the traditional line: the sacrament of Holy Orders is reserved for men, and this teaching is linked to the example of Christ and the apostles. His stance has left advocates for women in the Church deeply disappointed, sparking ongoing protests and petitions from theologians and lay groups calling for reconsideration.
Church Doctrine Stability
Above all, Pope Leo emphasizes stability in doctrine as essential to the Church’s identity. He argues that the Catholic Church’s credibility rests not in its ability to bend to societal trends but in its fidelity to timeless truths. This vision portrays the Church as a rock in turbulent waters, standing firm when the world around it is shifting. Critics, however, argue that an overemphasis on stability risks neglecting the lived realities of Catholics who are struggling with issues such as divorce, same-sex relationships, and gender equality.
Francis Legacy vs Leo’s Direction
The contrast between Pope Francis and Pope Leo is becoming one of the defining narratives of this transition. Francis opened the doors to dialogue on controversial topics, even if doctrine remained unchanged. His synodal process encouraged lay participation and fostered a sense of global conversation within the Church. Pope Leo, in contrast, has adopted a narrower, more hierarchical approach. He acknowledges the need for discussion but makes it clear that such discussions will not result in doctrinal change. For many Catholics, this feels like a rollback of Francis’s legacy of openness.
Polarization in Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is becoming increasingly polarized under Pope Leo’s leadership. Progressive Catholics accuse the Vatican of clinging to outdated positions, while conservatives celebrate what they see as a return to authentic faith. This division runs deep across regions as well Catholics in Western countries tend to push for reform, while those in Africa and parts of Asia often embrace Leo’s conservative stance. This polarization risks fragmenting the global Catholic community, creating competing visions of what it means to live faithfully in today’s world.
Attitudes vs Doctrine Change
Pope Leo draws a clear distinction between attitudes and doctrine. He insists that Catholics must show compassion and respect toward everyone, including marginalized communities, but he stops short of endorsing any changes to official teaching. This balancing act attempts to preserve the Church’s moral authority while also engaging with contemporary realities. Still, for many reform-minded Catholics, the distinction feels like lip service a way to appear welcoming without actually changing anything substantial.
Vatican’s New Pope Interview
In one of his first interviews, Pope Leo defended his stance by saying: “The Church must listen, accompany, and love, but not change revealed truth.” His words crystallized his philosophy and quickly spread across global media. For his supporters, this statement reflects wisdom and clarity. For his critics, it is a sign that the new Pope is unwilling to consider reforms even in areas where the Church is losing credibility and followers. The interview has since fueled social media debates, with Catholics around the world taking sides.
Real Crisis Sexual Abuse Scandal
Interestingly, Pope Leo has shifted the spotlight from reform debates to what he calls the “real crisis” facing the Church: the sexual abuse scandal. He insists that rooting out abuse, enforcing accountability, and restoring credibility should be the Vatican’s top priority. While many agree that this crisis is indeed urgent, critics argue that it should not be used as an excuse to stall discussions about reform. Both issues, they contend, are vital for the Church’s future.
Innocent Until Proven Guilty Church Approach
The Pope also emphasizes that in handling allegations of abuse, clergy must be treated with fairness, following the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” While this is consistent with legal standards, survivors’ groups argue that it risks minimizing the experiences of victims who already face immense barriers to being heard. This balancing act protecting the rights of the accused while supporting victims remains one of the thorniest challenges for the Vatican.
Family, Father Mother and Children Doctrine
Pope Leo has doubled down on the traditional Catholic teaching about family life. He stresses that the family, defined as father, mother, and children, is the cornerstone of society and cannot be redefined. His defense of the traditional family has been hailed by conservatives as a reaffirmation of timeless truth. Reform advocates, however, argue that it excludes single parents, blended families, and LGBTQ households that are increasingly common in today’s world.
Blessings for Same Sex Couples Limited
One of the more controversial positions Pope Leo has taken is limiting blessings for same-sex couples. While Pope Francis cautiously allowed some space for pastoral blessings outside of liturgical rites, Leo has curtailed even that. Same-sex couples may receive private pastoral support but not formal blessings in Church ceremonies. This move has been widely criticized by LGBTQ advocates as a regression, though traditionalists see it as necessary to preserve the integrity of sacramental theology.
Traditional Family Emphasized
The emphasis on the traditional family continues to be a cornerstone of Leo’s papacy. In multiple addresses, he has described the family as “God’s first school of love and faith.” He has warned against what he calls “modern attempts to redefine marriage and family,” which he sees as threats to the Church’s mission. This language resonates strongly with conservative Catholics but deepens the sense of exclusion felt by others.
Reform Expectations Dampened
For Catholics who had hoped Pope Leo would continue the momentum of reform, expectations have been dampened significantly. Synodal discussions that once felt vibrant and full of possibility now seem stalled. Many progressive Catholics are expressing disappointment, warning that this resistance to change could drive more young people away from the Church altogether. The sense of disillusionment is growing in communities that had pinned their hopes on reform.
Theology vs Pastoral Change
Pope Leo frames the entire debate as a matter of theology versus pastoral practice. Theology, he insists, is rooted in divine revelation and cannot change, while pastoral approaches may evolve to meet modern needs. Critics argue this approach creates a hollow middle ground appearing compassionate without delivering substantive change. Nevertheless, Leo sees it as the only way to safeguard both tradition and mercy.
Role of Women in Church Leadership
Finally, the question of women’s leadership remains unresolved. Pope Leo encourages women to play greater roles in administration, education, and evangelization, but firmly excludes them from sacramental ministry. This compromise leaves reformers deeply unsatisfied, as they argue that true leadership cannot exist without access to ordination. For now, women remain central to the Church’s mission but marginalized in its structures of power.
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