The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023

 

December 28, 2023

The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023

VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
Religion News Service - Missouri School of Journalism [Columbia MO]

December 27, 2023

By Claire Giangravé

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Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares.

In a year that began with the funeral of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who marked the 10th anniversary of his own election in March, stepped up his reforms of the Catholic Church, and by year’s end he could point to a series of wins in shoring up Vatican finances, reducing corruption and enacting his plan for a more welcoming and inclusive church. He had also marginalized several outspoken critics.

But 2023 also exposed the weaknesses of this pontificate. Under Francis, the church continued to stumble in dealing with sexual abuse, extending the perception the hierarchy still doesn’t take the problem seriously. Despite concerted diplomatic efforts, the pope failed to project real influence over foreign affairs, especially in the major conflicts in Ukraine and the Mideast. His age and his medical scares, meanwhile, had…