VATICAN CITY — As newly elected Pope Leo XIV prepares to lead his first Mass, the first American pontiff steps into a role burdened with complex and urgent challenges that will define his tenure.
From confronting the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse to addressing gender roles, global inequality, and financial instability, the 69-year-old former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has a daunting in-tray waiting.
Elected just two days after the conclave, Pope Leo XIV will be closely watched by the Catholic faithful and observers worldwide, eager to see how he navigates the moral and institutional crises facing the Church.
Tackling Sexual Abuse
Pope Francis has made significant strides in confronting sexual abuse within the Church, including hosting a landmark summit with bishops in 2019 that encouraged cooperation with civil authorities. While victims acknowledged progress, many said the reforms fell short of full transparency and accountability.
Current rules require church leaders to refer abuse allegations internally, but not necessarily to the police. Pope Leo XIV will face calls to strengthen those protocols and deliver more decisive action to protect victims and rebuild trust.
Advancing the Role of Women
Under Pope Francis, women saw greater involvement in Vatican life, including the right to vote in major conferences.
However, the Church stopped short of ordaining women or integrating them into higher clerical ranks. With many women expressing frustration over being excluded from Church leadership, and with 10,000 nuns having left religious life between 2012 and 2022, Pope Leo XIV must determine whether to advance or stall these reforms.
Many argue the future of the Church depends on acknowledging and empowering its female members, especially in the education and healthcare sectors.
Inclusion and LGBTQ+ Rights
Pope Francis’s pastoral approach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, most notably his 2013 remark “Who am I to judge?”, marked a shift toward greater inclusion.
He also authorised blessings for same-sex couples — a decision that drew praise from progressives and sharp criticism from traditionalists, including a rejection by African bishops who deemed it culturally incompatible.
Pope Leo XIV will need to find a path that promotes unity while navigating divisions within the Church on how to welcome LGBTQ+ believers.
Unifying a Global Church
One of the new pope’s key challenges will be unifying a deeply diverse and sometimes divided global Church.
The growing prominence of Catholic communities in the Global South — especially in Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines — has shifted Catholicism’s demographic centre.
Pope Francis expanded representation by appointing cardinals from underrepresented regions, and expectations are high for Pope Leo XIV to continue that outreach and build a more inclusive leadership structure.
Restoring Vatican Finances
The Vatican faces a mounting financial crisis, with deficits tripling since Pope Francis’s election and a pension fund shortfall estimated at €2 billion (£1.7 billion).
These challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and long-standing inefficiencies, will require firm and transparent economic stewardship from the new pontiff. Ensuring financial accountability will be critical to sustaining Church operations and restoring credibility.
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, his leadership will be defined by how he balances tradition with reform, and whether he can bring healing and hope to a Church navigating the complexities of the 21st century.
