Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 2, 2025 / 18:23 pm (CNA).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a report Thursday that outlines concerns about the use of life-altering drugs and surgeries on minors who struggle with gender dysphoria.

The HHS report notes that this model, sometimes called “gender-affirming care,” includes irreversible medical interventions on children who do not have any physical health conditions. The treatments are designed to feminize boys and masculinize girls, and the surgeries make the child’s body appear more similar to that of the opposite sex.

“Systematic reviews of the evidence have revealed deep uncertainty about the purported benefits of these interventions,” the foreword of the executive summary of the 400-page report notes.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order during his second week in office that directed HHS, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to produce a report on this subject. The order also directed all hospitals that receive federal funding to halt the practice of giving children drugs or performing surgeries on them to treat gender dysphoria.

According to the report, “these interventions carry risk of significant harms,” which can include infertility, sexual dysfunction, underdeveloped bone mass, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, psychiatric disorders, and adverse cognitive impacts, among other complications.

The report notes that the purported benefit of these interventions is “to improve mental health outcomes” for children who identify themselves as transgender and desire certain physical changes. However, according to the report, systematic reviews of patients “have not found credible evidence that they lead to meaningful improvement in mental health.”

“When medical interventions pose unnecessary, disproportionate risks of harm, health care providers should refuse to offer them even when they are preferred, requested, or demanded by patients,” the report’s authors write.

The report finds “no evidence that pediatric medical transition reduces the incidence of suicide, which remains, fortunately, very low.” For this reason, the authors criticize organizations that frame these interventions as “medically necessary” or “lifesaving,” arguing that such characterizations are not supported by the evidence. 

Although the authors note that “the principle of autonomy” is important in medicine, they add that there is not a “right to receive interventions that are not beneficial” and that autonomy “does not negate clinicians’ professional and ethical obligation to protect and promote their patients’ health.” 

The report also discusses “regret,” particularly coming from so-called “detransitioners” who seek to reverse body-altering medical interventions they have received. It states that the “regret” rate is unknown and that more evidence is needed, but adds: “That some patients report profound regret after undergoing invasive, life-changing medical interventions is clearly of importance.”

There is little evidence concerning the benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of children with gender dysphoria, according to the report. However, there is evidence supporting psychotherapeutic interventions for children with other mental health problems, and there is no evidence psychotherapeutic interventions for gender dysphoria causes harm.

Mary Rice Hasson, the director of the Person and Identity Project at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, told CNA that the report is “extremely well done” and provides an “in-depth and unbiased analysis” of the current medical literature related to treating children who have gender dysphoria.

Hasson said this guidance can serve as a resource for parents, physicians, and policymakers who are “seeking to help ‘gender-dysphoric’ minors.”

“Both evidence and ethics point to the better solution for treating identity-distressed kids: psychotherapy and time,” she said. “Let kids be kids, and let them grow up undamaged by drastic, disabling interventions.”

Jill Simons, a pediatrician and executive director of the American College of Pediatricians, told CNA that the Trump administration “should be applauded” for its work so far on this subject but added that “more has to be done” and called on pediatricians to “stand up to the organizations … that are still promoting … these harmful [procedures].”

Simons also noted that the report found no evidence that these medical interventions reduce the risk of suicide and warned that some doctors make that claim “to scare parents.” 

“Parents need to know that that is just simply not true,” she said.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a pro-LGBT group, criticized the HHS report.

“Trans people are who we are,” HRC Chief of Staff Jay Brown said in a statement. “We’re born this way. And we deserve to live our best lives and have a fair shot and equal opportunity at living a good life.”

Trump’s executive order to halt gender-altering drugs and surgeries for children has been subject to numerous lawsuits.

null / Credit: angellodeco/Shutterstock

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 2, 2025 / 18:23 pm (CNA).

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a report Thursday that outlines concerns about the use of life-altering drugs and surgeries on minors who struggle with gender dysphoria.

The HHS report notes that this model, sometimes called “gender-affirming care,” includes irreversible medical interventions on children who do not have any physical health conditions. The treatments are designed to feminize boys and masculinize girls, and the surgeries make the child’s body appear more similar to that of the opposite sex.

“Systematic reviews of the evidence have revealed deep uncertainty about the purported benefits of these interventions,” the foreword of the executive summary of the 400-page report notes.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order during his second week in office that directed HHS, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to produce a report on this subject. The order also directed all hospitals that receive federal funding to halt the practice of giving children drugs or performing surgeries on them to treat gender dysphoria.

According to the report, “these interventions carry risk of significant harms,” which can include infertility, sexual dysfunction, underdeveloped bone mass, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, psychiatric disorders, and adverse cognitive impacts, among other complications.

The report notes that the purported benefit of these interventions is “to improve mental health outcomes” for children who identify themselves as transgender and desire certain physical changes. However, according to the report, systematic reviews of patients “have not found credible evidence that they lead to meaningful improvement in mental health.”

“When medical interventions pose unnecessary, disproportionate risks of harm, health care providers should refuse to offer them even when they are preferred, requested, or demanded by patients,” the report’s authors write.

The report finds “no evidence that pediatric medical transition reduces the incidence of suicide, which remains, fortunately, very low.” For this reason, the authors criticize organizations that frame these interventions as “medically necessary” or “lifesaving,” arguing that such characterizations are not supported by the evidence. 

Although the authors note that “the principle of autonomy” is important in medicine, they add that there is not a “right to receive interventions that are not beneficial” and that autonomy “does not negate clinicians’ professional and ethical obligation to protect and promote their patients’ health.” 

The report also discusses “regret,” particularly coming from so-called “detransitioners” who seek to reverse body-altering medical interventions they have received. It states that the “regret” rate is unknown and that more evidence is needed, but adds: “That some patients report profound regret after undergoing invasive, life-changing medical interventions is clearly of importance.”

There is little evidence concerning the benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment of children with gender dysphoria, according to the report. However, there is evidence supporting psychotherapeutic interventions for children with other mental health problems, and there is no evidence psychotherapeutic interventions for gender dysphoria causes harm.

Mary Rice Hasson, the director of the Person and Identity Project at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, told CNA that the report is “extremely well done” and provides an “in-depth and unbiased analysis” of the current medical literature related to treating children who have gender dysphoria.

Hasson said this guidance can serve as a resource for parents, physicians, and policymakers who are “seeking to help ‘gender-dysphoric’ minors.”

“Both evidence and ethics point to the better solution for treating identity-distressed kids: psychotherapy and time,” she said. “Let kids be kids, and let them grow up undamaged by drastic, disabling interventions.”

Jill Simons, a pediatrician and executive director of the American College of Pediatricians, told CNA that the Trump administration “should be applauded” for its work so far on this subject but added that “more has to be done” and called on pediatricians to “stand up to the organizations … that are still promoting … these harmful [procedures].”

Simons also noted that the report found no evidence that these medical interventions reduce the risk of suicide and warned that some doctors make that claim “to scare parents.” 

“Parents need to know that that is just simply not true,” she said.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a pro-LGBT group, criticized the HHS report.

“Trans people are who we are,” HRC Chief of Staff Jay Brown said in a statement. “We’re born this way. And we deserve to live our best lives and have a fair shot and equal opportunity at living a good life.”

Trump’s executive order to halt gender-altering drugs and surgeries for children has been subject to numerous lawsuits.

null / Credit: Bill Chizek/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, May 2, 2025 / 17:44 pm (CNA).

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) announced today a new memorandum of understanding with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, which the organizations say solidifies their “long-standing commitment to the holistic development and spiritual growth of young people.”

“This agreement reaffirms [our] shared values and outlines collaborative efforts to provide enriching and character-building opportunities for Catholic youth through Scouting,” the organizations said in a May 1 joint announcement. The text of the memorandum was not immediately made available. 

The NCCS, founded in the early 20th century, is an advisory committee that utilizes all the programs and activities of the Boy Scouts of America but works with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure alignment of Catholic Scouting programs with Catholic teaching, the organization says. The organization serves some 98,000 Catholic Scouts, according to its website.

Catholic organizations were early supporters of the Boy Scouts after its founding in 1910, with the earliest known Catholic-chartered troops established in St. Paul, Minnesota, that year. Today there are more than 3,270 Catholic-sponsored Scouting units across the nation, the groups say. 

The two organizations’ renewed partnership signifies “a continued dedication to working together to empower young people with strong moral compasses, leadership skills, and a commitment to service,” the announcement continues. 

“Today’s signing of the [memorandum] between Scouting America and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting reaffirms a long-standing partnership built on shared values of faith, service, and leadership,” said Bill Guglielmi, chair-elect of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

“Together, we celebrate over 100 years of collaboration in shaping young people of character guided by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, especially the principles of duty to God and reverence. Our actions today reaffirm our mutual commitment to continuing this important mission for generations to come.”

The May 1 announcement comes after a turbulent dozen or so years for the Boy Scouts, which rely heavily on religious organizations to run their local troops. 

The organization lifted a ban on members who identify as gay in 2013 and faced major backlash in 2015 over its decision to allow openly gay men to serve as troop leaders. The organization later opened its ranks to girls as well as to biological girls who identify as boys. 

After seeing its membership plummet due to the pandemic, the Boy Scouts declared bankruptcy in 2020 amid a flood of some 82,000 sexual abuse claims, later agreeing to a $2.4 billion settlement plan for victims in 2024.

null / Credit: Bill Chizek/Shutterstock

CNA Staff, May 2, 2025 / 17:44 pm (CNA).

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) announced today a new memorandum of understanding with Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, which the organizations say solidifies their “long-standing commitment to the holistic development and spiritual growth of young people.”

“This agreement reaffirms [our] shared values and outlines collaborative efforts to provide enriching and character-building opportunities for Catholic youth through Scouting,” the organizations said in a May 1 joint announcement. The text of the memorandum was not immediately made available. 

The NCCS, founded in the early 20th century, is an advisory committee that utilizes all the programs and activities of the Boy Scouts of America but works with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure alignment of Catholic Scouting programs with Catholic teaching, the organization says. The organization serves some 98,000 Catholic Scouts, according to its website.

Catholic organizations were early supporters of the Boy Scouts after its founding in 1910, with the earliest known Catholic-chartered troops established in St. Paul, Minnesota, that year. Today there are more than 3,270 Catholic-sponsored Scouting units across the nation, the groups say. 

The two organizations’ renewed partnership signifies “a continued dedication to working together to empower young people with strong moral compasses, leadership skills, and a commitment to service,” the announcement continues. 

“Today’s signing of the [memorandum] between Scouting America and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting reaffirms a long-standing partnership built on shared values of faith, service, and leadership,” said Bill Guglielmi, chair-elect of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

“Together, we celebrate over 100 years of collaboration in shaping young people of character guided by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, especially the principles of duty to God and reverence. Our actions today reaffirm our mutual commitment to continuing this important mission for generations to come.”

The May 1 announcement comes after a turbulent dozen or so years for the Boy Scouts, which rely heavily on religious organizations to run their local troops. 

The organization lifted a ban on members who identify as gay in 2013 and faced major backlash in 2015 over its decision to allow openly gay men to serve as troop leaders. The organization later opened its ranks to girls as well as to biological girls who identify as boys. 

After seeing its membership plummet due to the pandemic, the Boy Scouts declared bankruptcy in 2020 amid a flood of some 82,000 sexual abuse claims, later agreeing to a $2.4 billion settlement plan for victims in 2024.

Cardinals gather for the the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

CNA Newsroom, May 2, 2025 / 17:32 pm (CNA).

The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.

Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Cardinals gather for the the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

CNA Newsroom, May 2, 2025 / 17:32 pm (CNA).

The conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor will begin on May 7, as the Church enters the final preparatory phase for choosing its 267th pope.

Follow here for live updates of the latest news and information on the papal transition:

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, celebrates the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Vatican City, May 2, 2025 / 17:14 pm (CNA).

On the seventh day of the Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti recalled the extreme sacrifice Catholics from the Eastern Catholic Churches have made to remain faithful to the successor of St. Peter, the pope.

“In the past, Eastern Catholics have agreed to adhere to full communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter, whose body rests in this basilica. And it was in the name of this union that they bore witness, often in blood or persecution, to their faith,” Gugerotti said at a Mass on May 2 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Eastern Catholics, “in part now reduced, in numbers and in strength but not in faith, from wars and intolerance,” he continued, “remain firmly clinging to a sense of catholicity that does not exclude but rather implies the recognition of their specificity.”

The 69-year-old Italian cardinal was head of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches since 2022 and had extensive experience serving as an apostolic nuncio to countries with many Eastern Catholics and Orthodox, including Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

In his homily at the Mass for Pope Francis’ repose, part of the Church’s nine days of mourning, Gugerotti pointed out how Eastern Catholics have “enriched the treasury of Christian theology with a contribution as original as it is, to a large extent, unknown by us Westerners.”

He noted that some members and leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches were present at the Mass and thanked them for “agreeing to enrich the catholicity of the Church with the variety of their experiences, their cultures, but above all their very rich spirituality.”

“Children of the beginnings of Christianity, they have carried in their hearts, together with their Orthodox brothers and sisters, the flavor of the Lord’s land, and some even continue to speak the language that Jesus Christ spoke,” he said.

Gugerotti said he believes Pope Francis, “who taught us to love the diversity and richness of expression of all that is human,” is rejoicing to see Catholics of different rites joining together in prayer.

The cardinal also called on Catholics everywhere to recommit themselves to helping Christians forced to leave their ancient homelands, such as those in the Holy Land. 

We should “sensitize ourselves, as our pope had wished, to welcome them and help them in our lands to preserve the specificity of their Christian contribution, which is an integral part of our being the Catholic Church,” he underlined.

Gugerotti invited those present at Mass to unite themselves to the Eucharist, “even in our aridities, distractions, continuous loss of focus on the only thing necessary.”

He ended his homily with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, written by St. Simeon the New Theologian, an Eastern Father of the Church, and addressing his brother cardinals said: “As the days become ever closer when we will be called upon to choose the new pope, let us place on our lips the invocation of the Holy Spirit.”

“Come, true light; come, eternal life; come, hidden mystery; come, nameless treasure; come, ineffable reality; come, inconceivable person; come, happiness without end; come, light without sunset; come, infallible expectation of all who are to be saved. Come, you who has longed and longs for my miserable soul. Come, thou, the one, to me, alone, for thou seest that I am alone; that seeing thee in eternity I, dead, may live; possessing thee, I, poor, may ever be rich and richer than kings; I, who eating and drinking of thee, and clothing myself at all times with thee, pass from delight to delight to inexpressible goods, for thou art all good and all glory and all delight, and it is to thee that glory belongs, O holy, consubstantial, and life-giving Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, celebrates the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Vatican City, May 2, 2025 / 17:14 pm (CNA).

On the seventh day of the Novendiales Masses for Pope Francis, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti recalled the extreme sacrifice Catholics from the Eastern Catholic Churches have made to remain faithful to the successor of St. Peter, the pope.

“In the past, Eastern Catholics have agreed to adhere to full communion with the successor of the Apostle Peter, whose body rests in this basilica. And it was in the name of this union that they bore witness, often in blood or persecution, to their faith,” Gugerotti said at a Mass on May 2 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Eastern Catholics, “in part now reduced, in numbers and in strength but not in faith, from wars and intolerance,” he continued, “remain firmly clinging to a sense of catholicity that does not exclude but rather implies the recognition of their specificity.”

The 69-year-old Italian cardinal was head of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches since 2022 and had extensive experience serving as an apostolic nuncio to countries with many Eastern Catholics and Orthodox, including Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

In his homily at the Mass for Pope Francis’ repose, part of the Church’s nine days of mourning, Gugerotti pointed out how Eastern Catholics have “enriched the treasury of Christian theology with a contribution as original as it is, to a large extent, unknown by us Westerners.”

He noted that some members and leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches were present at the Mass and thanked them for “agreeing to enrich the catholicity of the Church with the variety of their experiences, their cultures, but above all their very rich spirituality.”

“Children of the beginnings of Christianity, they have carried in their hearts, together with their Orthodox brothers and sisters, the flavor of the Lord’s land, and some even continue to speak the language that Jesus Christ spoke,” he said.

Gugerotti said he believes Pope Francis, “who taught us to love the diversity and richness of expression of all that is human,” is rejoicing to see Catholics of different rites joining together in prayer.

The cardinal also called on Catholics everywhere to recommit themselves to helping Christians forced to leave their ancient homelands, such as those in the Holy Land. 

We should “sensitize ourselves, as our pope had wished, to welcome them and help them in our lands to preserve the specificity of their Christian contribution, which is an integral part of our being the Catholic Church,” he underlined.

Gugerotti invited those present at Mass to unite themselves to the Eucharist, “even in our aridities, distractions, continuous loss of focus on the only thing necessary.”

He ended his homily with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, written by St. Simeon the New Theologian, an Eastern Father of the Church, and addressing his brother cardinals said: “As the days become ever closer when we will be called upon to choose the new pope, let us place on our lips the invocation of the Holy Spirit.”

“Come, true light; come, eternal life; come, hidden mystery; come, nameless treasure; come, ineffable reality; come, inconceivable person; come, happiness without end; come, light without sunset; come, infallible expectation of all who are to be saved. Come, you who has longed and longs for my miserable soul. Come, thou, the one, to me, alone, for thou seest that I am alone; that seeing thee in eternity I, dead, may live; possessing thee, I, poor, may ever be rich and richer than kings; I, who eating and drinking of thee, and clothing myself at all times with thee, pass from delight to delight to inexpressible goods, for thou art all good and all glory and all delight, and it is to thee that glory belongs, O holy, consubstantial, and life-giving Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

null / Credit: Mehdi Kasumov/Shutterstock

Washington D.C., May 2, 2025 / 16:38 pm (CNA).

A panel of scholars at The Catholic University of America (CUA) addressed what they believe the cardinals may be looking for when electing the next pope but acknowledged there is no way to know what direction the upcoming conclave — which begins May 7 — will go.

On Thursday, May 1, CUA chaplain Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, led a panel on the subject of Pope Francis’ legacy and the future of the Church that included CUA School of Theology dean and professor Joseph Capizzi, senior fellow for the Catholic Association Ashley McGuire, and Stephen White, executive director for the Catholic Project.

White said he believes that “at least some of the cardinals will be looking to make the case for a more regular application and appreciation for the significance of law in the Church.” He clarified: “What I’m not saying is that this past pontificate was lawless.”

“But,” he continued, “I think the rule of law and the equitable application of law is not simply about following the rules.”

“It’s a constituent of the common good of the Church. There’s a reason the Church has law, not just simply to be efficient. It helps to organize and maintain the common good of the Church, including the common good of the pope who wants to see that the Church’s law is not only being applied, but it’s being applied fairly. I think that would be of concern for some of the cardinals.”

McGuire said Pope Francis was “handed a couple of very difficult, acute crises that are still not fully resolved,” including abuse allegations and financial issues, and believes the next step is to put those to rest and focus on other issues. 

“I think … the Church has two different problems it has to deal with,” McGuire said. “It’s got in the West this march of secularization; what’s going on in Germany, we’re bordering on heresy. And the fact that even in a place like the United States, you have regular Mass attendees who aren’t really necessarily following Church doctrine.”

“But then you have in parts of the developing world, which is where the Church is growing the fastest, regular reports of slaughter… and parishioners going to church not knowing if they’re going to survive Mass.”

“The Church has to govern two very different lived realities of being Catholic,” McGuire concluded.

Capizzi said matters like these should not be at the forefront of how the pope should be selected but rather the focus should solely be on electing “a holy man” and “a good man.”

“We’re trying to pull as many people into the boat as possible to keep them on the boat. That’s the task,” he said.

White added that the cardinals need to ask “what is the office of Peter?” and “get back to the basics” when electing the next pontiff.

With a new pope to be elected soon, the panel also reflected on Pope Francis and his legacy.

Guilbeau said Pope Francis’ belief that “the Church’s intellectual tradition, the fullness of her spiritual, liturgical, sacramental tradition is meant for everybody and emphasis on the margins” will be remembered.

They specifically mentioned his dedication to the unborn, the poor, and immigrants, and highlighted his mercy. 

McGuire said she believes people will remember how Pope Francis would go out to be with the public, “physically hugging people.” In other words, “what you would picture Jesus doing.”

null / Credit: Mehdi Kasumov/Shutterstock

Washington D.C., May 2, 2025 / 16:38 pm (CNA).

A panel of scholars at The Catholic University of America (CUA) addressed what they believe the cardinals may be looking for when electing the next pope but acknowledged there is no way to know what direction the upcoming conclave — which begins May 7 — will go.

On Thursday, May 1, CUA chaplain Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, led a panel on the subject of Pope Francis’ legacy and the future of the Church that included CUA School of Theology dean and professor Joseph Capizzi, senior fellow for the Catholic Association Ashley McGuire, and Stephen White, executive director for the Catholic Project.

White said he believes that “at least some of the cardinals will be looking to make the case for a more regular application and appreciation for the significance of law in the Church.” He clarified: “What I’m not saying is that this past pontificate was lawless.”

“But,” he continued, “I think the rule of law and the equitable application of law is not simply about following the rules.”

“It’s a constituent of the common good of the Church. There’s a reason the Church has law, not just simply to be efficient. It helps to organize and maintain the common good of the Church, including the common good of the pope who wants to see that the Church’s law is not only being applied, but it’s being applied fairly. I think that would be of concern for some of the cardinals.”

McGuire said Pope Francis was “handed a couple of very difficult, acute crises that are still not fully resolved,” including abuse allegations and financial issues, and believes the next step is to put those to rest and focus on other issues. 

“I think … the Church has two different problems it has to deal with,” McGuire said. “It’s got in the West this march of secularization; what’s going on in Germany, we’re bordering on heresy. And the fact that even in a place like the United States, you have regular Mass attendees who aren’t really necessarily following Church doctrine.”

“But then you have in parts of the developing world, which is where the Church is growing the fastest, regular reports of slaughter… and parishioners going to church not knowing if they’re going to survive Mass.”

“The Church has to govern two very different lived realities of being Catholic,” McGuire concluded.

Capizzi said matters like these should not be at the forefront of how the pope should be selected but rather the focus should solely be on electing “a holy man” and “a good man.”

“We’re trying to pull as many people into the boat as possible to keep them on the boat. That’s the task,” he said.

White added that the cardinals need to ask “what is the office of Peter?” and “get back to the basics” when electing the next pontiff.

With a new pope to be elected soon, the panel also reflected on Pope Francis and his legacy.

Guilbeau said Pope Francis’ belief that “the Church’s intellectual tradition, the fullness of her spiritual, liturgical, sacramental tradition is meant for everybody and emphasis on the margins” will be remembered.

They specifically mentioned his dedication to the unborn, the poor, and immigrants, and highlighted his mercy. 

McGuire said she believes people will remember how Pope Francis would go out to be with the public, “physically hugging people.” In other words, “what you would picture Jesus doing.”