Paul Elie, a New Yorker writer focused on the Catholic Church, shares his insights from the Vatican as the world buzzes over the election of Pope Leo XIV. The discussion dives into the excitement surrounding Pope Leo's election, highlighting how modern media shapes public engagement with the papacy. The hosts explore pop culture's portrayal of popes, with critiques of shows like 'The Young Pope.' They also reflect on a resurgence in spiritual interest in the wake of recent events and the hopeful message of the new pope's leadership amidst contemporary challenges.
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insights INSIGHT
Papal Conclave as Global Spectacle
The papal conclave blends deep tradition with modern spectacle, resembling a dramatic reality show filled with secrecy and pageantry.
Its aesthetic grandeur and mystery attract global attention beyond just Catholic audiences, engaging even non-believers online.
question_answer ANECDOTE
On-the-Ground Papal Election
Paul Elie witnessed the election of Pope Leo XIV from a Roman rooftop near the bells for a unique perspective.
He saw the crowd below silent in clusters, watching white smoke on phones, reflecting modern prayer rituals.
insights INSIGHT
Pope as Media Icon
The role of the pope has evolved into a powerful media figure influencing global Catholic identity.
John Paul II’s actor training showed how performance shapes papal influence in an age of mass media.
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Pope Leo XIII's encyclical "Rerum Novarum" is a landmark document in Catholic social teaching. Issued in 1891, it addressed the social and economic problems arising from the Industrial Revolution, particularly the plight of workers. The encyclical condemned both laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, advocating for a more just and humane economic system. It affirmed the dignity of labor, the right of workers to form unions, and the role of the state in protecting workers' rights. Rerum Novarum established key principles of Catholic social thought, including the importance of subsidiarity, the common good, and the dignity of the human person. It remains a foundational text for Catholic social teaching and continues to inspire efforts to promote social justice and economic fairness.
Angels and Demons
Dan Brown
In this novel, Dan Brown introduces Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, who is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. This discovery leads to the revelation of the resurgence of the ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, which has a vendetta against the Catholic Church. Langdon teams up with Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, to follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols across Rome to prevent the Illuminati from carrying out their deadly plans, including the detonation of an antimatter bomb in Vatican City. The story is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, exploring the battle between science and religion[3][5][4].
In the weeks since Pope Francis’s passing, the internet has been flooded by papal memes, election analysis, and even close readings of the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV’s own posts. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz consider why the moment has so captivated Catholics and nonbelievers alike. They discuss the online response and hear from the writer Paul Elie, who’s been covering the event on the ground at the Vatican for The New Yorker. Then the hosts consider how recent cultural offerings, from last year’s “Conclave” to the HBO series “The Young Pope,” depict the power and pageantry of the Church, with varying degrees of reverence. Leo XIV’s first address as Pope began with a message of peace—an act that may have contributed to the flurry of interest and excitement around him. “The signs are hopeful,” Cunningham says. “And reasons to hope attract attention.”
Critics at Large | The New Yorker 
