VATICAN CITY – It's an historic time for the Catholic Church as it now has a reigning pope and a pope emeritus.

Now, all eyes will be on the new leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics and how he will fulfill his challenging role.

Critics have been calling for reforms as the Catholic Church is rocked by various scandals.

There are allegations of corruption and cronyism in the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.

Across the globe, there are also thousands of sex abuse cases involving the clergy.

Then, there is the faithful divided on issues such as homosexuality, same-sex marriage, the use of contraceptives and allowing women into the priesthood.

Some may not be open to changing long-held traditions and beliefs but other priests acknowledge that reforms have been part of the Church's history.
 
“Napakaganda kasi kapag sinabi nating Catholic, it is universal. Kaya ‘yung santo papa, kahit saan talaga, strictly speaking, pwede manggaling sa Europe at hindi sa isang specific place,” said Fr. Greg Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filipino.

Those pushing for reforms added that the Church must find ways to connect to the new generation.
 
“’Yung Simbahan always has been on the side of being in dialogue with the times, kung ano tinaktakbo ng panaho, tinitignan niya ‘yun. Kaya sa palagay ko this is a time of change, a time to listen to dialogue,” said Fr. Joel Camaya, a student in Rome.

Many are hopeful that the new pontiff can maintain important traditions while also adapting to the changing times.

“I think the biggest challenge is to bring Catholics back to the arms of God and to be more devout and faithful of the Church,” said Filipina Vicky Villanueva.

Only time can tell how Benedict's successor will respond to pressing issues and how his leadership will shape the Catholic Church.