Pope Francis Meets Medical Staff Days Before Passing

A few days prior to his death, Pope Francis had a meeting with nurses and doctors at Gemeri Hospital in Rome. This was especially significant for him, as he had recently been treated there for a severe pneumonia case that lasted five weeks.

Elena Beccali, who led a group of about 70 healthcare professionals, made headlines as the first female president of the Sacred Heart faculty at the Catholic University in Milan last June. This faculty is closely connected to Gemeri Hospital.

During his visit, Francis expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you for the service at the hospital, it was very good, please keep it.” This was not the first time he acknowledged the important role women have within healthcare and other sectors.

Throughout his 12 years as Pope, Francis has openly supported women’s roles in the Vatican, elevating several to high-ranking positions and granting them voting rights during global bishops’ conferences.

However, it’s worth noting that in other aspects, such as handling allegations against nuns or his firm stance that a woman could never be ordained as a priest, he presents a more mixed legacy.

The ongoing underrepresentation of women in the church was starkly highlighted by their absence during the funeral mass at St. Peter’s Square, where seats were predominantly occupied by male church leaders. Instead, nuns were seen mingling among pilgrims and tourists.

Meanwhile, issues surrounding women have yet to come up in the discussions among Cardinals, at least as per a recent briefing for the press. While the men were preparing for the elections of a new Pope, there were women working quietly behind the scenes.

These women, led by nuns managing Casa Santa Marta, ensured logistical support for the 133 Cardinals who were sequestered for the Conclave. Their responsibilities included cooking and cleaning while also attending to the spiritual needs of the attendees.

Former nun Gloria Blanciani remarked, “It’s the women who actually put it all together.” Yet, she feels the church remains a patriarchal institution that often overlooks women’s contributions.

Blanciani is no stranger to abuse within the church, having left her vocation after enduring years of alleged sexual abuse by Marco Rupnik, a former Jesuit artist. Lupnik faced accusations from multiple women and was excommunicated in 2020 but remained a priest, now residing in Slovenia.

Despite having reported her experiences, Blanciani reported feeling unheard. When Francis became the first Pope to acknowledge clerical sexual abuse publicly in 2019, there was hope for change, but tangible actions have remained elusive.

The case against Lupnik is still under the purview of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a Vatican body managing serious offenses within the church. However, progress has stalled due to complications in the legal process involving the alleged victims.

Blanciani noted, “She filed her first complaint back in 1993. If it had been taken seriously, she might not have had to resort to the media.” This sentiment is echoed by Laura Sgrò, a lawyer representing victims.

Sister Libyan Angelilis, a nun from Tuscany, highlighted that the issue of administrative abuse against nuns has always existed, often in silence due to fear. “They were afraid to speak up,” she said, adding that many nuns tend to view priests as representations of Jesus on earth. Yet, Francis’s actions have empowered some women to come forward.

The prohibition on women’s ordination remains a significant barrier. “They have no voice,” Sgrò asserted.

The push for women’s inclusion in priesthood has been championed by the Catholic Women’s Ordination (CWO) group, which criticizes systemic misogyny in the church. Spokesperson Pat Brown stated that while Francis has accomplished much, he appears to lack awareness regarding the fundamental need for justice for women. “It’s clear why women can’t become priests. That’s misogyny,” she said.

Ultimately, Blanciani hopes to see meaningful changes from the next Pope. “Words are one thing, but we need immediate action, especially against Rupnik. True reform will require training women for priesthood,” she concluded.