He didn't ask me, but I am offering advice, some spiritual direction, a personalized scrutiny for Pope Francis.
In this synodal year of listening, dear Holy Father, set aside a day every week, we can call it "Synodal Saturday," for you to listen...attentively, receptively, trustingly, fondly, reverently...to specific groups that have been marginalized. These will include:
1. Start with basics: a personal tutorial on the role of metaphysics/philosophy in theology in the Tradition, the nature and value of doctrine, the concept of a "deposit of faith." I recommend my friend Monsignor Tom Guarino who is experienced in instructing seminarians, many challenged like Pope Francis in metaphysical skills. (For an example of fraternal correction, not overcorrection, see his: https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2023/11/what-pope-francis-could-learn-from-fides-et-ratio.) There are others: Cardinal Mueller, Father Weinardy, D.C. Schindler. (The latter would have to dumb down his thinking considerably. There is no evidence that the young Bergoglio mastered the material of Fundamental Theology 101.) His teaching suggests an affinity for existentialism and populist liberation thought along with an allergy to classic Catholic thought. Perhaps he could also reread Romano Guardino, whom he favored earlier in his life, and would nicely rebalance and center him.
2. A good session with the "dubia" Cardinals. Of course Cardinals Fernandez, Ouellet, Schonborn and others could participate.
3. Cardinal Zen, survivors of the martyred, underground Church, and some Uyghurs.
4. Young families attached to the Latin Mass.
5. Professors fired from the John Paul Institute for Marriage and Family in Rome. Focus on Theology of the Body. This will be reparation for Francis' disrespect for the legacy of his two predecessors.
6. The half dozen most generous, affluent American donors to the Church. They could share their love for their Catholic faith and why they give so graciously.
7. Conservative, lay Catholics from the USA including people like Reno, Arroyo, R. Martin, Royal, Simmons, Vree, Esolen, Weigel and others.
8. Consider Catholic engagement with Islam by a close reading of Benedict's Regensburg Address and meeting with family of the martyred in Nigeria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and across the globe.
9. Reconsider the dissonant papal fiat on capital punishment by listening to non-Catholic families who have lost innocents to violence with attention to Jews (Oct. 7), Yasidis in Iraq, and victims of serial, psychotic killers.
10. Listen to participants from Courage, the self-help for Catholics suffering same-sex longing for growth in chastity. This could be followed up by sessions with the religious sisters victimized by his friend Fr. Rubnik.
This is a good beginning. There are others. The Holy Father might complement this penitential practice by light asceticism in an abstinence, a pause so to speak, in public meeting with first world progressive celebrities he prefers: Nancy Pelosi, Fr. Jim Martin, climate activists, many of his cardinals, Zuckerberg, Biden, the alphabetical sexual liberationists.
It would be an inspiring exemplar of a wholesome synodality were our Holy Father to embrace such an itinerary. I am moved to ask myself: how can I do the same? Maybe I will start by listening to Richard Rohr podcasts, re-subscribing to American magazine after a separation of so many years, and reading up on global warming. I am due for a good "examen of conscience" a la St. Ignatius of Loyola: Who is that I really don't want to listen to? That is exactly to whom I will listen!
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