When it comes to church reform, Pope Francis isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers

Pope Francis listens during his weekly general audience Aug. 9, 2023, in the Vatican audience hall. In his main talk, the pope talked about his experience at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, and the desire of young people for peace. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Tensions have been bubbling recently in the Catholic Diocese of Rome, as Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the vicar who supervises the see’s day-to-day operations, has clashed with Rome’s bishop — Catholicism’s worldwide leader, Pope Francis. Francis and De Donatis have differed over the past few years on how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and the management, or mismanagement, of the diocese’s finances, as well as the vicar’s loyalty to the Rev. Marko Rupnick, a Jesuit priest found guilty of sexually and psychologically abusing at least nine women. As the rift between the two prelates has become increasingly embarrassing for the Vatican, Francis has characteristically made repeated appeals for unity, but he hasn’t …