Pope Francis has passed away after an energetic and often controversial papacy. The pontiff was never as radical as his opponents claimed or as the Left imagined, but he did move the Catholic Church toward his pastoral visions of inclusion and mercy rather than doctrinal discipline. 

The College of Cardinals will now set a new course for the Catholic Church in its upcoming conclave. They will enter into prayer, discernment, and private dialogue in the Sistine Chapel to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. Part of that discernment will consider the church’s many challenges, especially regarding doctrinal confusion among Catholics as well as ongoing martyrdoms in Africa and Asia.

Those existential threats to Christians will at least factor into this decision – and they should. The courage of African bishops and priests should inform this decision and produce a new pontiff oriented to support of doctrinal courage and efficacy where the Church is growing fastest. Pray for the cardinals who will choose the direction of the Vatican that they discern wisely.