10 Reforms by Pope Leo XIV That Forever Changed the Catholic Church — Cardinal Tagle Furious: “Has He Lost His Mind?”

Since his dramatic election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV has emerged as one of the most radically transformative leaders in the history of the Catholic Church. His sweeping reforms — bold, controversial, and deeply theological — have not only reshaped the Church from within but also sent shockwaves across global Christendom. Supporters hail him as a prophet of necessary renewal. Critics, including some within the Vatican itself, call him reckless. Among them, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, reportedly fumed during a recent synod:
“Has he lost his mind?”

Here are 10 of the most groundbreaking reforms enacted by Pope Leo XIV that have redefined the Church for a new era:

1. Abolishment of Mandatory Celibacy (in Select Regions)

In an unprecedented move, the Pope permitted bishops in certain dioceses to ordain married men, especially in mission territories and rural parishes lacking priests. Traditionalists called it heretical. Reformers called it long overdue.

2. Ordination of Women as Deacons

For the first time in modern history, Pope Leo XIV formally restored the female diaconate, allowing women to be ordained as deacons — with liturgical and pastoral authority. This sparked both celebration and outrage across the global Church.

3. Full Transparency of Vatican Finances

In a push for accountability, Leo XIV ordered the complete public audit of Vatican Bank records, publishing decades of financial data and revealing past corruption. The bold act earned him both admiration and serious enemies within the Curia.

4. Liturgy Reform: Mass in All Native Languages

Building on Vatican II, Leo XIV officially authorized Mass to be celebrated in indigenous languages worldwide — even where Latin or colonial languages had long dominated. Critics called it divisive; communities called it liberation.

5. Creation of the Council for Survivors of Abuse

In response to the abuse crisis, Leo XIV established a permanent council made up entirely of survivors, with power to advise, audit, and hold bishops accountable. It was the first of its kind in Church history.

6. Recognition of LGBTQ+ Civil Unions

While upholding the sacrament of marriage, Pope Leo XIV publicly supported the civil rights of LGBTQ+ couples, stating:
“Every person deserves dignity, family, and legal protection.”
Cardinals in Africa and Poland protested fiercely.

7. Canon Law Reform on Excommunication

The Pope redefined the grounds for excommunication, emphasizing pastoral care over punishment. The automatic excommunication for divorced-and-remarried Catholics was officially lifted, allowing them to receive the sacraments again.

8. Empowering Local Churches (Synodality in Practice)

Leo XIV enforced radical synodality, granting bishops’ conferences greater autonomy in matters of liturgy, discipline, and local governance. Critics say it’s decentralizing too much; supporters call it “a return to the early Church.”

9. Environmental Mandate: “The Green Gospel”

The Pope issued Laudato Vitae, a sweeping follow-up to Laudato Si’, making environmental stewardship a moral obligation. He declared it a sin for Church institutions to invest in fossil fuels. Bishops in oil-rich countries were furious.