With a new pope now seated in the Vatican, many in the Catholic Church are looking toward the future with cautious optimism.
One of them is Cardinal William Goh, the Archbishop of Singapore, who recently opened up in an interview with Daily Compass about what he hopes Pope Leo XIV will bring to the table—particularly when it comes to doctrinal clarity.
In a world where the Church finds itself navigating modern issues while striving to remain true to its teachings, Cardinal Goh believes it’s time for clearer direction from the top.
Unity Needs Clarity, Not Confusion
Cardinal Goh didn’t hold back in expressing his concerns about the current state of the Church.
He pointed out that, while Catholics on both sides of the ideological spectrum—what he called the “left” and “right”—want to push forward the mission of evangelization, divisions have grown deeper over topics like marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, and transgender identity.
“It becomes difficult to work together in unity,” Goh said, “when we aren’t clear on what the Church actually teaches.”
He’s hopeful that Pope Leo XIV can bring that clarity.
According to the cardinal, ambiguity has left too much room for personal interpretation, which in turn has led to internal friction and misunderstandings.
Pope Leo’s Background Offers Balance
Cardinal Goh seemed reassured by the experience and character of Pope Leo XIV.
As an Augustinian, the Pope brings a strong grounding in the traditions and spirituality of St. Augustine, which Goh considers a promising sign.
He also highlighted the Pope’s real-world experience—from working in Peru among the poor to spending years in Rome navigating the complexities of the Curia.
“He’s been a leader before,” Goh explained, referencing Leo’s role as Prior General of his order.
“And you can see his leadership style already—he’s cautious, he’s thoughtful, and he understands the weight of a pope’s words.”
A Welcome Shift from Ambiguity
Goh suggested that Pope Leo’s careful approach is a much-needed change from the perceived vagueness of Pope Francis’s papacy.
While he expressed admiration for Francis’s inclusive intentions, Goh admitted that his teachings often felt too open to interpretation—especially on moral and doctrinal matters.
“He meant well,” the cardinal said, “but people were left confused.”
With Leo XIV, Goh sees a chance for the Church to move forward with greater confidence and less internal conflict.
He believes Leo won’t leave his words up for debate and will set clearer boundaries for Catholics to understand and follow.
Embracing Tradition, Not Erasing It
The conversation also touched on the traditional Latin Mass, known as the Tridentine Rite—an issue that has sparked heated discussions in recent years.
Cardinal Goh made it clear that he sees no harm in those who prefer the older form of the liturgy.
“They’re not doing anything wrong,” he said. “They’re not being disobedient or sinful.”
He believes the Church has room for multiple liturgical expressions, pointing out that other rites like the Syro-Malabar are already embraced.
So for Goh, there’s no need to suppress the Tridentine Mass if it’s helping people grow in faith and stay connected to their spiritual roots.
Looking Ahead with Cautious Optimism
As the Church enters a new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Goh is hopeful—but grounded.
He knows that change won’t happen overnight, but he’s optimistic that with clarity and compassion, the Church can heal its divisions and strengthen its mission.
His message to Catholics everywhere seems to be this: stay faithful, stay patient, and trust that with the right guidance, unity is still within reach.