🌿 Leon XIV: A New Pontificate Between Tradition and the Hope of Change

The election of Leon XIV as the new Pope has generated diverse reactions within the Catholic community and society at large. While some celebrate his commitment to the poor and his pastoral approach, others express concerns about his stance on the role of women in the Church and other contemporary issues.

A Pontiff with Roots in America

Robert Francis Prevost, now Leon XIV, is the first American pope and also a Peruvian national. His experience in Latin America, especially Peru, has influenced his pastoral vision and commitment to marginalized communities. In his first address, he stated:

“Together we must be a Church that builds bridges.”

This statement reflects his intention to continue the legacy of inclusion and dialogue promoted by his predecessor, Pope Francis.

The Role of Women in the Church: Progress or Pause?

One of the most debated topics is Leon XIV's position on the role of women in the Church. The new pontiff has expressed that the ordination of women would not solve the Church's problems and could create new challenges. The perception within the Catholic community that advocates for the integration of women in leadership positions creates tension regarding the progress made under Pope Francis.

Organizations and communities affiliated with our institution that promote the active participation of women in ecclesial leadership roles see this position as a potential stagnation in the path toward a more inclusive Church. However, Leon XIV's leadership promises continuity , albeit without setbacks.

A Church in need of transformation

The new pontificate of Leon XIV comes at a time of great challenges for the Catholic Church: controversy, a crisis of faith in different regions of the world, and the urgency of adapting to a constantly changing world, allowing the Church to continue to be a beacon of reference for society.

At the FundaciónDracma, we reaffirm our commitment to education, gender equality, and the promotion of women's active participation in all spheres of society and the Church. We hope that the new pontificate of Leon XIV, considered a deeply spiritual man with a missionary sensibility and a defender of an episcopate close to the people of God , will be an opportunity to advance toward a more inclusive, dialoguing Church, committed to addressing the challenges of today's world.

The current role of women in society and the Church: a future with hope

The recent death of Pope Francis invites us to pause and reflect on the changes his pontificate inspired and the paths we still have to build. At the farewell Mass organized by the Apostolic Vicariate of Aysén, Chile, Margarita Estévez Ramos , founder of the Dracma Foundation , gave a heartfelt speech in which she reflected on and elaborated on one of Francis's greatest concerns: the recognition and promotion of the role of women in the Church and in today's society .

Las Iglesias del mundo realizaron misas de despedida al Papa Francisco

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis was clear and courageous in his words:

"The Church recognizes the wise contribution of women to society through their sensitivity, intuition and unique abilities" (Francis, Evangelii Gaudium , 2013).

Furthermore, he did not hesitate to point out that

"Women in the Church are more important than bishops and priests" (Interview in Il Messaggero , 2014), recognizing a dignity and leadership that had historically been made invisible in many ecclesiastical structures.

In her speech, Margarita Estévez Ramos recalled how Francis promoted significant changes in the Vatican's institutional architecture, opening up leadership positions that, for centuries, had been reserved solely for men.

These gestures were not, as he himself emphasized, an attempt to modernize in the face of new social norms, but rather a profound response to the recognition of women's capabilities and irreplaceable contributions in all spheres of ecclesial and social life.

Today , thanks to these changes, the presence of women in decision-making positions in the Church is beginning to become normalized. Breaks are opening up in historically masculine structures, and with them, new modes of dialogue, discernment, and community building.

Margarita Estévez, our founder, emphasized in her speech that these transformations not only look within the Church, but reflect a broader movement: the desire for a society where women and men can develop on equal terms .

As an institution whose mission is to promote and empower women in diverse workplaces, we want to firmly emphasize that this task begins with the education of girls and boys , teaching them from an early age that talents, leadership skills, and sensitivity are human gifts, not assigned by gender.

The challenges persist. Cultural, institutional, and social resistance still exists that hinders women's full participation, especially in decision-making. However, as Pope Francis pointed out at various times in his life, "transforming structures is not a matter of speed, but of depth."

We embrace the hope conveyed by the recently deceased Supreme Pontiff. An active hope, one that is not satisfied with small symbolic gestures, but rather commits to a real transformation, one that builds a Church and a society where female leadership is not an exception, but a natural part of community life.

The death of Pope Francis leaves us with a legacy: belief in the transformative power of sensitivity, in the strength of dialogue, and in the importance of walking together—men and women—toward a more just, more humane, and more integrated future.

📌 Through these articles, we follow the current process of the Catholic Church, the foundation of our spirit and vision.

🌿 Reborn in Hope: The Living Legacy of Pope Francis

This recent Easter was marked by a loss that profoundly shook the Church and the world: the passing of Pope Francis. Amidst the pain, his final message resonates as a shining guide in times of crisis:

“Let us renew our hope and trust in others, even those who are different from us or come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life, and ideas, because we are all children of God.”

Sumo Pontífice desde el 2013 al 2025

These words not only summarize the heart of his pontificate, but also open a horizon for the Church of today and tomorrow. Until his last breath, Francis was a witness to the faith lived with consistency, tenderness, and courage.

A papacy at the service of the last

Pope Francis not only preached mercy: he embodied it. His closeness to the excluded, his commitment to migrants, his defense of the environment, and his constant denunciation of social injustice marked a profoundly pastoral and transformative era.

With simple gestures and powerful messages, he taught us that faith cannot be reduced to empty rituals, but rather is at play in everyday life, in caring for others, especially the most vulnerable.

The Church in Chile: following its example

In our country, the Catholic Church has sought to live up to that calling. With more than 2,000 educational institutions and a prominent presence in higher education, it has actively contributed to promoting Christian values and building a more just and inclusive society.

Our own community, the Servants of St. Joseph (SSJ) , has put this spirit into practice through projects that seek to reduce social gaps and strengthen the role of women, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds. Training spaces, support networks, and job opportunities have allowed many women to grow, connect with each other, and contribute to the social fabric from their own perspectives.

Women, protagonists of renewal

Today, more than ever, we recognize that women are fundamental to the future of the Church . Not as silent collaborators, but as leaders, thinkers, animators, and nurturers of community life.

Pope Francis took firm steps toward greater female participation in ecclesial life, opening spaces and publicly acknowledging that the Church needs a "more incisive female presence." This is a legacy we must safeguard, deepen, and continue to expand.

A faith that is not afraid of change

The Church is called to embrace the synodal process that has already begun: to journey together, to truly listen, to discern communally. Interreligious dialogue, social justice, and inclusion are not external challenges, but part of the Gospel mission.

As religious and lay Servants of St. Joseph, we feel strongly called to be bearers of hope . In every gesture of accompaniment, in every community project, in every space of prayer and commitment, we seek to reflect the concrete love that Jesus taught us.

A legacy that drives us

The death of Pope Francis is not a closure, but a boost. His legacy is a compass in times of uncertainty. It reminds us that the Church is not a static place, but a living body, on the move, in constant search.

May her memory inspire us to continue building a more just, humane, fraternal, and luminous Church. A Church where the other is not a stranger, but a brother or sister. A Church where women are not an exception, but protagonists. A Church where faith is not a refuge, but a force to transform the world .

📌 Dracma Foundation — A project led by women of Catholic faith, serving life, justice, and hope.