While the world is busy speculating about who the next pope will be, perhaps the more important question is: what will he do once he’s elected?

As the cardinals gather behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, it’s not just about choosing a spiritual leader, but someone who will shape the future direction of the Roman Catholic Church. And that future is filled with complex, controversial, and deeply consequential decisions.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion: A Test of Compassion and Doctrine

One of the most divisive issues within the Church remains its stance on LGBTQ+ Catholics. While Pope Francis took a softer, more pastoral tone, endorsing civil unions and famously saying, “Who am I to judge?”, official Church doctrine still describes homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered.” The next pope will have to navigate whether to take further steps toward inclusion or maintain the current theological boundaries. He’ll be pulled between progressive Catholics who want full recognition and conservatives who fear doctrinal drift.

The Role of Women: Representation vs. Tradition

Another issue on the table is the role of women in the Church. Though Pope Francis appointed women to high-ranking Vatican roles and opened discussions about female deacons, women remain barred from the priesthood. Growing calls for equality and a larger voice for women in Church leadership aren’t going away — especially in parts of the world where women already carry much of the pastoral burden in understaffed parishes. The new pope will face pressure to take clearer action.

Abuse Scandals: The Need for Accountability

No issue has damaged the Church’s credibility more than the clergy abuse crisis. Though efforts have been made to increase transparency and implement new safeguards, many feel justice has been too slow. Survivors’ groups continue to push for stronger accountability, including more lay oversight and harsher penalties for bishops who covered up abuse. The next pope will be expected not just to talk about reform, but to enforce it consistently and openly.

Celibacy and the Priest Shortage

As the number of priests declines — especially in Latin America, Europe, and North America — some Church leaders have proposed revisiting the rule of clerical celibacy. Allowing married men to become priests, particularly in remote areas, could help address the shortage. It’s not a new idea, and in some Eastern Catholic churches, it’s already the norm. Still, it remains controversial, and the next pope’s stance will shape whether this conversation remains theoretical or becomes policy.

A Global Church in a Fractured World

The pope isn’t just the head of the Catholic Church — he’s also a global figure. From climate change to war and migration, his moral voice carries weight. Pope Francis positioned the Church as a champion for the poor, refugees, and the environment. The next pope will have to decide whether to continue this path or pivot toward a more internally focused Church. With geopolitical tensions rising and faith-based persecution still a global concern, the new pontiff’s diplomatic role will be under constant scrutiny.

Church Governance: Centralization or Reform?

Francis began loosening Rome’s grip on power by empowering local bishops to make more decisions for their regions. This “synodality,” or shared governance, has met resistance from some in the Vatican bureaucracy. The next pope must decide whether to double down on this path of decentralization or return to a more traditional, centralized model. Whoever emerges from the conclave will inherit a Church at a crossroads — one that spans continents, cultures, and ideologies. Beyond the symbolism and pageantry, the real work of the papacy lies in tackling these challenges with courage, wisdom, and faith.