Tue May 06 07:59:36 UTC 2025: ## Vatican’s Future Uncertain as Cardinals Ponder Women’s Role After Pope Francis’s Death
**Rome, Italy** – The death of Pope Francis has left the future of women’s roles within the Catholic Church hanging in the balance. While Francis made strides in appointing women to key Vatican positions, including the first female head of the Vatican governorate, his failure to address the highly debated issue of women’s ordination as deacons or priests leaves the Church deeply divided as cardinals gather to elect his successor.
Francis’s papacy saw a rise in the percentage of women in the Vatican workforce, from 19% to 23.4%. He appointed women to high-profile roles such as director of the Vatican Museums and president of Vatican City State. However, two commissions tasked with studying the possibility of women deacons ultimately failed to reach a consensus, and Francis ultimately ruled out women’s ordination as deacons. This leaves many feeling that while progress was made, it was ultimately superficial.
The upcoming papal election has sparked anxiety among advocates for greater female inclusion within the Church. Kate McElwee of the Women’s Ordination Conference expressed concern that the next pope might reverse some of Francis’s advancements. This anxiety is further fueled by mixed signals from leading cardinals. Cardinal Arborelius suggested alternative avenues for women’s service within the Church, while Cardinal Stella criticized Francis for appointing non-clerical individuals to high-ranking positions.
Conservative voices remain firmly opposed to significant changes. Cardinal Müller, a leading conservative figure, criticized the appointment of lay women to leadership roles within the Vatican Curia. Conversely, some believe the Church must adapt to the changing reality of women’s increasing influence in various sectors, including parish management and education. Professor Sabina Pavone argues that the Church’s continued exclusion of women is increasingly a practical problem, not just a theological one.
The cardinals currently deliberating on the future direction of the Church have yet to clearly articulate their positions on the role of women. While many were appointed by Francis and share his views on social justice, their stance on gender equality remains unclear. The upcoming election will therefore be a crucial moment, determining whether the Church will continue on a path of greater inclusion or revert to more traditional practices. The question remains: will the next pope open the door fully, or will the progress made under Francis be undone?
First Piper 