The Pope criticized the cardinals and bishops of the Roman Curia and even wondered if it is possible to have friends in the Vatican Government

Leo “a spiritual Alzheimer’s” and “the cancer of cliques”. Jorge Bergoglio also accused them of practicing ambition and self-centered gossip.

The new Pope was a member of the Roman Curia for more than two years as a “minister” to the Bishops and heard some of those criticisms from his predecessor.

He told the members of the Vatican government that “bitterness is also among us, when after many years of service in the Curia we observe with disappointment that certain dynamics linked to power, such as the desire to prevail or the pursuit of personal intereststhey are slow to change.”

“In the midst of daily work it is a grace to find trusted friends, where the masks fall, no one is used and judged, genuine support is offered and the value and competence of each person is respected, avoiding resentment and dissatisfaction”the Pope highlighted.

“Let us avoid opposing ideologies in the Church. Communion in the Church is always a challenge. Sometimes, after an apparent tranquility, the ghosts of division lurk.”

The Pope asked the Curia to be an example. “We are disciples and witnesses of the Kingdom of God, called to be in Christ a ferment of universal brotherhood between different peoples, different religions, between women and men of every language and culture.”

As a Christmas gift, Leo XIV gave the members of the Vatican government the book “The practice of the presence of God“, a book by Carmelite brother Lorenzo. The pontiff said that if you want to understand his figure, “you have to read it.”

The beginning of the second phase of the Pope’s pontificate on January 7-8 with the Consistory of cardinals coming to Rome from all over the world, begins a new phase that will also lead to changes in key command positions of the Vatican government.