

Episode 4473: What The New Pope Means For The Next Decade
May 9, 2025
Ben Harnwell, a political commentator in Rome, joins Terry Schilling, President of the American Principles Project, and Bradley Thayer, a China expert. They discuss the new pope's working-class background and its implications for social justice. The conversation dives into the Vatican's financial challenges amidst U.S. politics and the complex relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. They also analyze the potential impacts of recent tax proposals on the Republican agenda and call for urgent health initiatives to address national concerns.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
New Pope's Pragmatic Selection
- The new pope, Leo XIV, closely aligns with Pope Francis but is less anti-American and more pragmatic.
- The Cardinals chose him partly to restore American donor support amid Vatican financial struggles.
Vatican-China Deal Risks Church's Moral Authority
- The Vatican-China deal gives the CCP control over bishop appointments, compromising church independence.
- This Faustian bargain undermines human rights and the church's moral authority in China.
Church Must Stand Against CCP
- The Catholic Church should oppose the CCP to maintain its moral strength and support Chinese believers.
- Cooperation with the CCP risks losing legitimacy, unlike John Paul II's strong anti-communist stance in the past.