Where Are Pope Francis’ "Reforms"?
Most frequently, the propagandists cite the 'reform' of the Roman Curia with the Apostolic Constitution 'Praedicate Evangelium'.
However, three years after its promulgation, there is almost unanimous opinion that it needs to be reviewed soon because it is costly and cumbersome.
'Its vertical [= authoritarian] structure has slowed down curial procedures, increased inefficiency and costs, and inflated some administrative departments', Badilla analyses.
Much has also been made of Francis’ “reform” of the financial sector. However, much of what has been done remains unknown. Only partial information has been leaked.
The only real reform was the creation of the Secretariat for the Economy — essentially a Ministry of Economy — but it never became operational due to several constraints that neutralise its effectiveness.
On 21 November 2024, Pope Francis published his Letter to the Cardinals, sounding the alarm about the sustainability of the Vatican pension fund and raising questions about the economic reforms launched over 10 years ago.
During the Sede Vacante, this issue was central to the discussions. There were dozens of questions, and sometimes the answers were opaque and confusing.
Another 'reform' concerned the Vatican media. The aim was to put an end to excessive spending compared to returns, and to centralise content, quality and budgets.
Overall, however, it has not brought about any significant results after ten years of implementation: 'On the contrary, the reform has caused many problems, the main one being the destruction and virtual disappearance of historic Vatican Radio.'
Badilla considers the balance sheet in this regard to be negative: 'Vatican communication essentially does not exist, unless one wishes to call numerous sectoral press offices, unjustifiable expenses and irrelevant final products with no impact on public opinion by that name.'
Ultimately, the reform has resulted in the formation of an enormous structure that is not nearly as effective as the Vatican's communications were at the time of Radio Vaticana and the authoritative Osservatore Romano, which is no longer even received by apostolic nunciatures.
Badilla concludes that it is difficult to associate Francis’ pontificate with major structural, corrective and modernising reforms.
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