When popes get political

当教皇涉足政治

The Global Story

2025-11-28

26 分钟
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Pope Leo is on his first official visit abroad, and there are already signs he’s willing to use his position to speak out on controversial matters. His recent comments about abortion and the rights of migrants have created headlines in the United States, and raised eyebrows from some conservatives who see the first American pope challenging President Trump’s policies. It wouldn't be the first time that a pope has weighed in on politics. From Nazism to communism and the Cold War, from refugees to climate change, popes have used their position to influence global affairs. In this episode we speak to author and presenter Edward Stourton, who has covered religious affairs and the USA extensively for the BBC, about what power Pope Leo XIV has, and what lessons he can learn from his predecessors. Producers: Lucy Pawle and Sam Chantarasak Executive producers: James Shield and Bridget Harney Senior news editor: China Collins Mix: Travis Evans Image: Pope Leo XIV visits Ankara, Turkey on 27 November. Vatican Media Handout/EPA/Shutterstock
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  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • This is the Vatican back in May of this year.

  • The white smoke has just appeared and the Cardinal is on the balcony.

  • There's a huge cheer in St.

  • Peter's Square.

  • A few moments later, we hear the new pope's name.

  • And the cheer is a little muted.

  • Maybe because Robert Prevost was a surprise and people didn't even know his name yet.

  • But I was in the square that day and some people told me there were nerves that for the first time the new pope was an American.

  • Pope Leo hasn't exactly burst onto the world stage since then.

  • He's been pretty discreet.

  • He's getting out there now.

  • He's on his first trip abroad this week.

  • But recent comments about his home country have raised some eyebrows.

  • New criticism of conservative policies are coming from what some might consider an unlikely source,

  • the Pope.

  • This morning,

  • Pope Leo and the White House engaging in a thinly veiled battle over what it means to be pro-life.

  • Pope Leo seemed to criticize the Trump administration over the president's immigration policies.

  • It wouldn't be the first time that a pope has weighed into earthly matters.