Francis, the decider

VATICAN CITY - Canonization week in Rome was about more than just the new papal saints. With three-quarters of the College of Cardinals in attendance, hundreds of bishops and Catholic scholars and commentators in abundance, it was akin to an informal annual general meeting. The universal Church was catching up with herself after a momentous year since Conclave 2013, the last time the whole gang was together.

The dominant topic of conversation was the reforming papacy of Pope Francis 13 months on. Francis remains the most fascinating story in Catholic journalism today. Over the next few weeks in this space I hope to share with readers the fruit of the conversations of canonization week in Rome, hoping to help Catholics understand what people in Church leadership are talking about when they talk about Francis’ papacy.

There are serious matters of substance in the reforms that the Holy Father is advancing, but the dominant conversation about Francis is one of his pontifical style. By that is not meant secondary issues such as the colour of his shoes or the style of his chasuble, but rather how he exercises his Petrine ministry.