"Pope knows that things are brewing in the Church". Jesuit demands Church be Synodal "to the furthest corner of every Diocese" and complains about clericalism of young priests.

 Expert Batlogg: "Pope knows that things are brewing in the Church"

Jesuit Batlogg and church historian Gelmi presented their new books on the Pope in Vienna

According to Papal expert Andreas Batlogg, the new Pope Leo XIV is still in the orientation phase of his pontificate. The new head of the Church is confronted with thousands of expectations and agendas from the universal church; for Leo, it is currently a matter of "sorting things out and prioritizing," the Jesuit said at a book presentation in Vienna on Wednesday evening. At the same time, Leo is also aware that decisions are pending, be it regarding the treatment of women in the church, the shortage of priests, or the establishment of synodal culture, Batlogg said: "The Pope also knows: things are brewing in the Church."

Leo XIV took the first steps, emphasized unity within the Church, and also extended "pats on the back" to the Curia. However, it is too early to judge the pontificate. Batlogg emphasized that for that, one must wait, among other things, for the first doctrinal letters and the first Encyclical. Whether a pope wears a red mozzetta, lives in Santa Marta or the Apostolic Palace, or vacations in Castel Gandolfo are certainly signs, especially in a world shaped by images, but they do not constitute the essence of the papacy.

After Pope Francis's term in office, many in the Church are looking for peace. However, he does not believe that Leo XVI will now act as a kind of sleeping pill, the Jesuit said. "I hope he approaches things head-on." Given his biography, Leo is also aware of the challenges facing the Church in various regions of the world. From his time in Peru, the new Pope is familiar with the problem of the priest shortage and, as former Prior General of the Augustinians and Prefect of the Vatican Episcopal Office, is also aware of the situation of the Church in Europe. "And the worldwide synodal process has revealed that some hot topics are by no means German-speaking," Batlogg added.

The topic of church reform also includes: "If we want to be a universal Church, we must learn that things don't go our way," the Jesuit said. Batlogg cited the example of the debate surrounding the ordination of women. For some, the non-introduction of the ordination is a reason for leaving the Church, while others would announce their departure from the Church precisely if the ordination of women were established. "Every Pope faces this question. And Leo is, presumably, less courageous in this regard."

Two Papal books presented

The Jesuit and author spoke Wednesday evening during a panel discussion moderated by theologian Regina Polak with South Tyrolean church historian Josef Gelmi at the Vienna bookstore Herder. In addition to Batlogg's new publication, "Leo XIV - The New Pope," Gelmi's "Great Book of the Popes," published by Tyrolia Verlag, was presented. It chronicles the history of all 267 successors of the Apostle Peter up to the newly elected Leo.

In light of the "reform backlog" in the Church, he hopes the new Pope will give even more women important positions in the Church and promote reforms toward greater decentralization, Gelmi said. "We must move away from the idea that things have to be the same everywhere, in Africa, Europe, or South America." The role of women in the Church is "the big issue," the church historian emphasized. The Pope will have to take a more pronounced stance.

Leo XIV merely an administrator or not?

However, he has always been very critical of popes, added Gelmi, who has written 40 books on Popes, bishops, and church history over the past five decades. He doesn't expect "too much" from Leo XIV, the researcher said. "I'm sure he'll administer the Church properly, but I don't expect any great achievements."

Batlogg disagreed: "I don't think he'll just be an administrator." The Jesuit has high hopes, especially with regard to the continued work on the synodal process in the Church. Pope Leo had already repeated Francis's key phrase about the "synodal Church" on the evening of his election. The time for decreeing something by papal authority is over; "but establishing a synodal culture takes time," Batlogg said. Leo brings leadership experience and his training as a canon lawyer to the table. Accordingly, he could consolidate those processes that Francis had initiated "often very abruptly, spontaneously, and for some, overwhelmingly."

Synodal "to the furthest corner of every diocese"

In any case, the implementation of a synodal church must continue, "right down to the last corner of every diocese", the Jesuit demanded. Whether a synodal culture can be established is a litmus test for the Church. "This also means the separation of powers and that bishops must relinquish power. If this is not reflected in the organisational structure of the church, i.e. in the dogmatics and in canon law, then it will remain fine words."

In principle, there are a number of conflicts and fault lines in the Church today, Batlogg continued. He would very much like Pope Leo not to gloss over and calm things down here, but to take a closer look. The Jesuit cited a widespread clericalism among the generation of young priests and an extremely aggressive culture of debate among Catholics as problems. It should not be the case "that one's faith is denied or that theology is perceived as a threat", emphasised Batlogg. "The Pope must do something about this."

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