Francis Engulfed in Problems, Talk About Successors

Tantrums. Francis has never had to deal with so much adversity as in 2022, writes Jean-Marie Guénois on Figaro.fr. Francis is deaf to criticism, Guénois says. Everyone, even Francis’ supporters, experience not a friendly but a tense climate in the Vatican. Francis divides and terrorises. His authoritarian style and his tantrums are omnipresent in the Vatican. A veteran Italian observer spoke to Figaro of a Latin American confusion that is incomprehensible to European minds.

Health. Rumours are circulating in the Vatican about Francis' health. The pain in his knee is unbearable. He finds the wheelchair humiliating but can hardly move his right leg. The consequences of his July 2021 bowel surgery are not known. However, Francis has been able to fulfil almost all of his obligations since then, including three trips abroad.

Diplomatic Failure. During the Ukraine war, Francis has spoiled things with all sides. He blamed Nato for barking at Russia's door. On the other hand, he publicly rumoured that he wants to meet Putin in Moscow instead of doing this through diplomatic channels. Then he called Russian Patriarch Cyril an acolyte of the Kremlin. For Guénois, the Vatican is isolated on the diplomatic stage. Francis imagines he can solve geopolitical problems through his travels. But these trips comfort for a day but solve nothing.

Centralism. When publishing the Vatican constitution Praedicate evangelium, Francis took his staff by surprise, including his press department. To the dismay of the Vatican lawyers, the document was published full of errors. Francis had decided to publish it the night before, without considering that the text was not ready. Praedicate Evangelium puts all Vatican authorities on the same level and strengthens the power of the Pope, who decides everything on his own.

Synodalism. For Guénois, the Synod of Synods is a revolution inspired by the Orthodox and Protestant communities. The Vatican is worried about the German Synod, but has lost control over it, he says. Francis warned against Germany drifting away, but at the same time appointed the homosexualist Luxembourg Archbishop Hollerich - an ally of the Germans - as the rapporteur on the Roman Synod.

Paris. According to Guénois, the new Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich is in line with Francis. His appointment has shocked the 500 priests in Paris, especially the young ones. The archbishop's first decision will be to convene a synod, Guénois says.

Becciu. The Becciu trial shows for Guénois one thing above all: that Becciu acted on Francis' instructions. Guénois also says that Francis is very well informed. He knows how to find out things. This contributes to a climate of mistrust in the Vatican. Vatican confusion is at a peak. For Guénois, Zuppi of Bologna and Erdö of Budapest are possible successors to Francis.