Fr. Martín recalls that the Holy Father is currently addressing a wide range of issues, while constantly reaffirming Catholic doctrine. The founder of the Franciscans of Mary calls for “our fidelity, our support, our prayer” for Leo XIV.
Newsroom (06/07/2025, Gaudium Press) — The latest episode of the program Church News on Spanish Speaking chain Magnificat TV, hosted by Fr. Santiago Martín, founder of the Franciscans of Mary, bears a striking and concerning title: “The Sharks Attack the Pope.”
“It’s true that, so far, they’re only small sharks—second-tier sharks, you might say—and they’re being sent by those with stronger teeth to warn the Pope to be careful where he’s going, because if he continues along this path, he’ll face much more powerful attacks,” says Fr. Martín.
Fr. Martín recalls that the Holy Father is currently addressing a wide range of issues. For example, in his guidance to CELAM (the Latin American Episcopal Council), Pope Leo XIV urged the body to root its work in the Magisterium and the Word of God.
Similarly, during the Jubilee of the Laity and the Family, the Pope reaffirmed traditional Catholic teaching on marriage and even quoted Humanae Vitae, the encyclical by Pope Paul VI that faced considerable resistance from bishops at the time. The Pope confirmed the doctrine that marriage is not merely an ideal to strive for, while accepting other types of “family situations.” Fr. Martín recalls the ironic comment of the late Cardinal Caffarra, who said a wife would hardly be pleased if her husband claimed that fidelity was merely a goal to pursue—while continuing to be unfaithful in the meantime.
The Pope has also addressed issues such as the fact that charisms are not optional in the Church; that the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the sacrament of Holy Orders exist to “objectively offer grace through the sacraments”; and that the triple munus of the priesthood—to govern, to teach, and to sanctify on behalf of God’s people—is vital. He also emphasized that “both hierarchy and charisms are co-essential in the divine constitution of the Church,” and that “unity and mission are two essential priorities of the Petrine ministry.” These affirmations, it seems, have drawn concern and opposition from what Fr. Martín calls “the sharks.”
In this context, Fr. Martín calls on the faithful for “our fidelity, our support, and our prayer” in favour of Pope Leo XIV.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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