The next pope will take on one of the most critical and delicate responsibilities of our time: to unify the Church in truth while extending the love of Christ to those who have yet to encounter him. In a world where social media shapes both culture and conscience, the Church is more visible than ever — but also more exposed. Amid the digital noise marked by confusion, fear, and increasing hostility toward the faith, many believe the right response is to fight back with aggression. But this instinct is ultimately ineffective.

Aggression may energize the already-convinced, but it tends to drive away those still searching. It can create an us-versus-them mentality that rallies believers to militancy while erasing the human longing for encounter. The Gospel is not a battle cry shouted from behind a wall — it is an invitation, spoken face-to-face, heart-to-heart.

Social media has, in many ways, fractured the Church’s witness. Many online communities claiming to defend orthodoxy often end up sowing division and confusion, forming echo chambers that lead many to abandon the authority they claim to honor. The next Holy Father must see through this fog of confusion and guide the Church back toward unity — not by compromise, but by communion rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

One of the most admirable aspects of Pope Francis’ papacy was his unwavering commitment to bringing hope and the light of God’s love to all people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. His witness reminded the world that evangelization isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about winning souls. The Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ, carries the mission to remind every human person to whom they belong and to reveal to them the “Church’s heartbeat” — the outpouring of love Christ has empowered his Church with through the sacraments. 

We are living in the era of the Holy Spirit — a time when Christians must fervently pray for his gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a fervent soul, that person radiates Christ. But precisely because this is the Spirit’s hour, the enemy works tirelessly to distort his gifts — especially in this age of deep confusion about what it even means to be human.

The next pope will inherit a Church standing at a precipice. Relativism is no longer an abstract threat — it is shaping minds, redefining morality, and leading entire generations into despair, spiritual numbness, and even paganism. We must pray that the next successor of Peter recognizes the devastation of relativism and, with love, leads the Church not only to proclaim the truth but to live it with joy and zeal.

Given Our Blessed Mother’s intimate union with the Holy Spirit as his spouse, it would be wise — actually, essential — for the next pope to fully embrace the grace of Our Lady. Her perfect blend of tenderness and strength is the antidote for a world addicted to comfort and compromise. With Mary’s guidance, the Church can bolster its mission: to lead souls to eternal life and awaken in the world a holy fear of sin and a longing for the things of heaven.

I pray that the pope’s mission will be to inspire baptized Christians to boldly share the Gospel — not just through words or debate, but through the lived witness of compassion, truth and redemption. The world is starving for clarity and aching to know what is real. The next pope must be a shepherd who leads with both courage and tenderness. 

The global spotlight will be on Rome when the new pope is elected. This is not just a political moment — it’s a generational opportunity to save souls. The world will be watching, wondering if the Church remains unwavering in its message. The answer must be Yes — through the voice of the next pope.

Above all, I pray that he sees the lost souls not as enemies but as dignified children of God longing for purpose. I pray that he reminds the world that compassion, love and unity are not in opposition to objective truth — they are its deepest fulfillment, as Mary reminds us.