Archbishop Bentz: Do not see the Pope as an obstacle to the synodal path

Is the Pope an opponent of the reform dialogue of the Catholic Church in Germany? Paderborn's Archbishop Bentz does not think so. And thus contradicts Cardinal Woelki of Cologne.

Pope Leo XIV gives his blessing during a visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, May 25, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

The Archbishop of Paderborn, Udo Markus Bentz, does not see Pope Leo XIV as an opponent of the reform dialogue in the Catholic Church in Germany. In his previous role as head of the Vatican's bishops' authority, he did not perceive Robert Prevost as an obstructionist of the synodal path, "but as someone who clearly points out critical points, but with the aim of entering into dialogue about them", said Bentz in an interview with the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" (Monday).