For the very first time in my life, the Pope is younger than me!

​

This made me think that Pope Leo XIV may be the final Pontiff I ever see elected. Whilst my mother raised me as Catholic, as an adult I faced many challenges with the church and its practices. I no longer attend masses but I still visit churches—and temples, mosques, shrines, chapels, synagogues and pagodas, wherever I am in the world.

​

Our new Pontiff is going to lead the church through extremely troubled times ahead. With conflict in many parts of the globe, decreasing numbers attending services regularly resulting in churches being converted into cafes and restaurants and many believers 'losing' their faith—I suspect that the church will find it increasingly difficult to stay relevant.

​

But there is enormous wealth within the Catholic Church and it is likely that its business model will survive for some time. But society and our lifestyles/choices are changing and if the church does not successfully adapt to these changes then it will find itself much diminished. The tension between technology and faith is something that the church will need to grapple with, not to mention the potential role of women within Catholicism.

​

I have visited Montserrat (see pic) twice and like every church site I have visited, I am always spiritually moved when in the space.  I hope that they will always be there.