The white smoke has long since cleared, and the bells of St. Peter’s have stopped their frantic ringing, but the world is still catching its breath. If you’ve been looking for updates on Pope Francis, you’ve likely realized that the conversation has shifted from what he is doing to the massive shadow he left behind. Honestly, it’s a bit weird. For over a decade, Francis was the headline. Now, as we navigate early 2026, the Vatican is a different place entirely under his successor, Pope Leo XIV.
But here’s the thing: you can’t talk about the current state of the Church without talking about Francis. His fingerprints are everywhere. From the way bishops are chosen in small towns you've never heard of to the sweeping new focus on "the heart" in recent documents, the "Francis effect" didn't just vanish when he passed. It’s actually kinda intensifying.
The Current State of the Holy See
Right now, the Vatican is in a transitional phase that feels both frantic and strangely calm. Pope Leo XIV, who was elected back in May 2025, has spent his first months in office trying to bridge the gap between Francis’s progressive-leaning "revolution" and a return to more traditional Augustinian roots.
It’s a tough act.
On January 8, 2026, Leo XIV wrapped up his first "extraordinary consistory." Basically, he hauled every cardinal in the world to Rome and told them, "I am here to listen." It’s a move that feels very Francis-esque, yet the vibe is different. Leo is leaning heavily into the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, urging Catholics to stop treating faith like a "manual of rules" and start treating it like a living relationship.
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Updates on Pope Francis and His Living Legacy
If you’re wondering what’s actually new, the biggest "Francis" news right now isn't about the man himself, but about his namesake. This year, 2026, marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.
Pope Leo XIV just proclaimed a special Franciscan Jubilee Year that kicked off on January 10. It’s a direct nod to the late Pope Francis’s primary inspiration. For the first time, the body of St. Francis will be put on public display in Assisi. It’s expected to draw millions.
But there’s more to the legacy than just anniversaries.
The Documents That Still Matter
Before he passed, Francis released his fourth encyclical, Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us). It was a surprise teaching on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Most people thought it would be just another spiritual letter, but in early 2026, it’s become the blueprint for how the Church is handling modern conflicts.
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The letter actually took aim at technology, calling out the "anti-human use" of algorithms and AI. It’s pretty deep. Francis argued that while technology tries to quantify everything, it can’t capture the "little things"—like the way a kid collects worms in a shoebox or the way a grandmother makes pastry.
The Changing Face of the Hierarchy
The "updates on Pope Francis" that actually affect your local parish are the appointments. Francis was famous for picking "smell of the sheep" bishops—pastors who weren't necessarily high-ranking bureaucrats but were active in the trenches.
Leo XIV is continuing this, but with a slight twist. Just this month, on January 7, he accepted the resignation of Bishop Salvatore Matano in Rochester and appointed John Bonnici as his successor. We’re seeing a pattern of "bridge-builders"—men who have the intellectual depth of the old guard but the pastoral warmth Francis championed.
Why the World is Still Watching
People often ask why we’re still obsessing over a previous papacy. The answer is simple: Francis changed the job description.
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He made the papacy about migration, climate change, and "peripheries." This year, Pope Leo XIV is planning a massive trip to Spain, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands. Why the Canary Islands? Because it was a dying wish of Pope Francis to visit that specific migration entry point. Leo is literally finishing Francis's bucket list.
Then there’s Africa. Leo is planning to visit Angola and Algeria later this year. It’s a move that mirrors the late Pope’s obsession with the global south. The Church is no longer Euro-centric, and that is a direct result of the decade Francis spent behind the Bronze Door.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transition
There’s this narrative that the Church is "going back to normal" or "reversing" the Francis era. That’s just not true.
You’ve got to look at the math. Francis appointed the vast majority of the men who eventually elected Leo XIV. You don't just "undo" a decade of structural reform. What we’re seeing now is the refinement phase. The "Franciscan" focus on mercy is being paired with a more structured "Leonian" focus on theological clarity.
Actionable Insights for the Faithful (and the Curious)
If you’re trying to keep up with the fast-moving Vatican of 2026, here is how to stay informed without getting buried in jargon:
- Watch the Jubilee: If you’re a traveler, Assisi is the place to be this year. The Franciscan Jubilee offers a plenary indulgence for those who make the pilgrimage—a very old-school tradition being used to promote a very modern message of peace.
- Read "Dilexit Nos": Skip the news summaries. If you want to understand the current spiritual climate, read the actual text. It’s surprisingly personal and includes stories about Francis’s own grandmother and the "lie" cookies she used to make.
- Monitor the Synod: The "Synod on Synodality" didn't die with Francis. The 2025-2028 implementation plan is currently in full swing. This is where the actual rules about parish life and the role of women in the Church are being hashed out.
- Follow the Canary Islands Trip: This will be the bellwether for how the new Pope handles political pressure. If he stays as bold as Francis on migrant rights, we’ll know the Church’s direction hasn't wavered.
The Vatican in 2026 is a place of continuity, not just change. While the man is gone, the mission he set in motion—a Church that is "bruised, hurting, and dirty because it has been out on the streets"—remains the official north star.