New 1995 figures show that 1,020 Neocatechumenate seminarians are training 2,500 youth in different catechesis centers. Pope John Paul I met personally with Kiko and Carmen when he was still Patriarch of Venice in 1972, permitting them to open a community in his diocese, and encouraging the movement's progress in the following years. Pope John Paul II has always supported the movement, even in his days as cardinal of Cracow. In 1990, the Neocatechumenates received their first official papal recognition, in the letter to Bishop Cordes mentioned above. Some Sharp Criticism Admitting the movement's recognition and praise, one could fill books with the criticism levelled against the Neocatechumenate movement.
Substantial criticisms are of two types.
This situation has created a myriad of problems between bishops and the movement. The second criticism is of a doctrinal nature. According to Zoffoli, Kiko and Carmen have underplayed both the priest's absolution and the Real Presence in the Eucharist - accusations refuted by the Neocatechumenate movement, whose leaders say their beliefs and practices are supported by early Christian beliefs and practices.