Ecclesiological Themes in the Pontificate of Pope Francis

Abstract

The article analyzes the emerging ecclesiology of Pope Francis that revives the teaching of the Vatican Council II and opens a new phase in the reception of Vatican II’s vision of the Church. The introductory part briefly outlines the kerygmatic feature of Pope Francis’s theology, which is in the background of his speech about the Church. The starting point of the second and central part of the article is the phrase “the Church that goes forth”, which represents the hermeneutic key of the Pope’s understanding of the Church. We highlight his reflections about the essence and mission of the Church, such as the missionary transformation of the Church, synodality and polycentric understanding of the Church, Church as a mother and healer, Church and the world. Finally, in the spirit of the Church that goes forth, we elaborate on a ‘Samaritan Church’, a Church as a ‘filed hospital’, characterized by charity, a commitment to the poor, a sense for the periphery and human brotherhood, promoting a culture of encounter and dialogue. The third part of the article focuses on the Pope’s call to holiness and to the realization of Christian spirituality, which internally revives and encourages the missionary transformation of the Church.Research has shown that Pope Francis aims to restore today’s Church in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. The doctrinal part of his teaching about the Church comes to life in pastoral practice. Pope Francis advocates the Church as a strong moral authority in society and the world. It is a parricidal Church that decisively bears witness, speaks freely and boldly, opens spaces for encounter and authentic dialogue, and knows how to listen and accept criticism.