ASSISI Leo XIV dreamed – for the good of Italy – of a more open and less inhibited Church. A «Church that lives among people, welcoming their questions, alleviating their suffering, sharing their hope». He then envisioned a more rational and streamlined territorial structure, continuing the unification of smaller dioceses. Finally, it aims to slightly lower the average age of dioceses, through physiological replacement. First of all, this would ensure that everyone respects the retirement age, which is always set at 75 years, although this limit is often removed. With this action, he could immediately displace several bishops from prestigious sees. In fact, for example, Archbishop Bruno Forte in Chieti, or in Assisi, Archbishops Domenico Sorrentino, and Giulio Brambilla in Novara, Tommaso Caputo in Pompeii (the most visited shrine in Italy), have completed their retirement requirements. Cardinal Cantoni of Como also appears on the list. A major turnaround is expected in 2026. Among the dioceses set to break free is also Milan, the world’s largest diocese, where Archbishop Mario Delpini will celebrate his 75th birthday in August. This is a relevant box that even the Pope could exploit for possible moves at the top of the curia.
Yesterday morning was actually the new Pope’s first visit to Italy. For, apart from a short trip of a few hours in Genzano after the conclave to visit the Augustinians, Prevost had never moved beyond Castelli. The day in Assisi begins early in the morning with silent prayer in front of the tomb of the Patron Saint of Italy. Below is a symbolic and programmatic meeting with “his” diocese. As Primate of Italy, he spoke of the direction of creating a local Church, certainly more united and harmonious, capable of walking “in the course of history in the face of the emerging challenges of evangelization”. A goal that could naturally be achieved, he told more than two hundred and seventy bishops, only if they knew how to “continually renew themselves.” According to him “we must avoid that, even with good intentions, inaction slows down the necessary changes. We all – he said – must cultivate an internal attitude that Pope Francis defined as “learning to say goodbye”, a valuable attitude when preparing to leave office». In short, no bishop should be glued to his chair.
ANALYSIS
Faced with a complex reality, characterized by an Italy that is increasingly secularized and deaf to Christ, by increasing rates of abandonment of the faithful, decreasing numbers of marriages and baptisms – to the point where Cardinal Zuppi denounces the decline of Christianity but not Christianity – Leo
Of course, the photos that appear in the long speech Prevost prepared for his short visit to Umbria do not concern purely structural or functionalistic aspects, his views actually extend to pastoral aspects. “He must continue to promote integral humanism; a sense of humanity that upholds the value of life and care for every creature, which prophetically intervenes in public debate to spread a culture of legality and solidarity.” The audience listened attentively, several bishops took notes, and in the end there was no debate. After finishing reading, the Pope took his leave without forgetting to repeat that the only way forward was to start again from the basics, from the essentials, from the proclamation of Christ and introducing it to the Italian people in all areas of daily life. Which, these days, isn’t always easy.
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