The Papacy and American Politics

As Catholics gather in Rome to mourn Pope Francis, those hoping to succeed him are preparing to engage in one of the world's oldest and most intriguing electoral contests.

This week's guest knows the inner workings of the Vatican and the key players involved as cardinals gather for the next conclave. Host Anne McElvoy talks to Francis Campbell, who served as Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See from 2005 to 2011. Campbell became ambassador not long after the death of Pope John Paul II and a few months into Benedict’s pontificate, which preceded that of Francis. He believes that the cardinals may opt for a break from the past, rather than for a continuity candidate.

Brought up in Northern Ireland, Campbell was the first Catholic to represent the U.K. in the Vatican. He was a foreign policy adviser to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who converted to Catholicism after he left office. Campbell is now vice-chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia.  

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