Amanpour – "Gaza Priest on Pope Francis"
CNN Podcasts | April 25, 2025
Host: Christiane Amanpour
Episode Overview
This episode is anchored by an in-depth conversation with Father Carlos Ferrero, a Catholic priest in Gaza, reflecting on the death and legacy of Pope Francis—focusing particularly on the Pope’s nightly calls to Gaza’s dwindling Christian community during the war. The episode also explores life under siege in Gaza, the humanitarian impacts of U.S. foreign aid cuts in Afghanistan (with guest Shireen Ibrahim from the IRC), and offers segments on historical and cultural topics, including Ryan Calais Cameron's new play "Retrograde" (about Sidney Poitier’s brush with McCarthyism) and a discussion with director Edward Berger about the Vatican thriller "Conclave."
Key Segments & Insights
I. The Death of Pope Francis and Gaza’s Christian Community
[01:15–03:56] – Introducing the Topic
- Christiane Amanpour sets the stage with reflections on Pope Francis’s legacy as a bridge between conservative and liberal forces in the Catholic Church, and as a global moral authority.
- Notably, Pope Francis was a vocal critic of the Gaza war, calling for peace, hostages’ release, and an end to suffering.
“A pontiff who put his flock first. Engaging with Catholics all over the world, even a tiny population living in the midst of war torn Gaza… For the last 18 months of his life, he called Gaza’s only Catholic church every night.” (Amanpour, [02:40])
[03:56–11:14] – Interview with Father Carlos Ferrero, Priest in Gaza
On Grief, Faith, and the Church’s Role
- Father Ferrero expresses sorrow for Pope Francis’s death and highlights that prayers in Gaza are now twofold: for the late Pope and for peace amid ongoing violence.
- Notes the dire scarcity: "It's now more than 50 days of a total siege. No bread, no water, no medicine..." (Amanpour, [04:33])
- Ferrero: "Not having bread is really shocking. It's a real need for the people." ([05:12])
On Pope Francis’ Nightly Phone Calls
- For 18 months, Pope Francis called every night at 8 pm. Parishioners referred to this time as “the hour of the Pope.”
- The Pope would always ask: “How are you? … How are the people? Are they happy? What do they need?” ([05:57])
- “It was really a pastoral thing. For all of us and for the people, it was a big encouragement to know that the Pope himself is calling us every day.” ([06:36])
On Community and Faith Under Siege
- Gazans called the church “the house of Jesus” and sought refuge there amidst bombardment, believing “God is protecting us… God has given us the angels…” ([08:38])
- Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s praise: “I saw hope and optimism in their eyes. They told me, ‘We will stay here as long as the Church stands with us, we are not afraid.’” (Amanpour, quoting Cardinal, [08:00])
On Violence and Survival
- The church compound itself was bombed in January 2024, including a home for disabled children. Two civilians were shot dead by Israeli snipers inside the compound.
"[An] old lady… was shot. When the daughter saw that, she tried to help... and then the second person was shot again." (Ferrero, [09:37])
Closing the Segment
- Amanpour recognizes the extraordinary resilience and faith of Gaza’s Christians and thanks Father Ferrero for sharing his perspective.
- Ferrero: "God bless you. Thank you for inviting us." ([11:09])
II. Afghanistan: Humanitarian Crisis Amid U.S. Aid Cuts
[13:43–26:06] – Interview with Shireen Ibrahim, IRC Afghanistan Director
On the Severity of the Situation
- 23 million Afghans need humanitarian aid; 16 million face food insecurity; 14 million lack health access. (Ibrahim, [13:56])
- US aid was 54% of all humanitarian funding, but “this year, that is no longer the case.” $3 billion in needs unmet. ([15:25])
- Clinics are overwhelmed: “I met a lot of women who said to us that this is our lifeline… We travel 1.5, 2 hours to get here…” ([16:54])
- Refugee camps at the Torkham crossing face dire conditions, with rising radicalization risks if stability and hope are not restored.
Addressing U.S. Policy and Accountability
“We have monitoring mechanisms… to ensure when we do aid provision, it is really for the most needy… The money is being very well spent in the right places for those who need it most.” (Ibrahim, [21:27])
On Women and Girls
- Restrictions are severe, but some support and education projects continue despite bans.
- “We would hate to see women and girls continue to be set aside from labor opportunities, education, health, and all other opportunities in life.” ([24:05])
III. Culture, History, and Power
[26:09–38:52] – Ryan Calais Cameron on "Retrograde" and McCarthyism
- Playwright Cameron discusses his discovery of Sidney Poitier, the research behind "Retrograde," and the parallels between 1950s McCarthyism and current events.
- Poitier’s dilemma: Being pressured to become a star only by renouncing his integrity and denouncing others, notably Paul Robeson.
“The price is his soul, man. His integrity... He has to sell out or... give the name of Paul Robeson... what is more important, his integrity or moving along in this industry?" (Cameron, [30:03])
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Parallels to today’s culture wars and censorship: “If we don't rectify some of the things we're seeing today... we might get somewhere that looks a lot like the world in Retrograde... And now it's reality.” ([33:42])
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Discussion of masculinity and positive role models, especially for black boys and young men.
[38:54–53:49] – Edward Berger on the Film "Conclave"
- Berger discusses Conclave, a film about the secretive process to elect a new pope.
- The Vatican’s internal struggle between reformists and traditionalists mirrors “current world politics.”
“There's traditionalist or populist movements and there [are] liberals all over the world... we've lost the ability to listen to each other... everyone's a fundamentalist in their opinion.” (Berger, [43:47])
- Reflection on the Church’s issues with diversity, power, and accountability.
- The role and symbolic hope for feminine voices in the future of the Catholic Church:
“[At the end,] there is a crack in the foundation of this old patriarchy. And there’s a light that shines through that crack. And that light is the hope for change, possibly also feminine.” (Berger, [51:04])
- Responses to criticism from both conservative and liberal sides of the Church, with recognition of the institution’s internal divisions.
IV. Notable Quotes & Moments
- Father Carlos Ferrero [06:36]: “For all of us and for the people was a big encouragement to know that the Pope himself is calling us every day… this is the hour of the Pope."
- Cardinal Pizzaballa (quoted) [08:00]: “I will never forget their steadfast faith… they told me, ‘We will stay here as long as the Church stands with us, we are not afraid.’”
- Christiane Amanpour on Pope Francis’ Calls [11:14]: “In Pope Francis’ final Easter message, the day before he died, he prayed for, quote, the light of peace to radiate throughout the Holy Land and the entire world.”
- Shireen Ibrahim [22:40]: “Please remember that this is a humanitarian crisis, that people are deserving of humanitarian support... stabilization, so that the issues of today are not exacerbated.”
- Ryan Calais Cameron [33:42]: “For me as an artist, one point is like, wow, my play is really relevant. And also, this is really scary because... it was almost like a fever dream. And now it’s reality.”
- Edward Berger [51:04]: “There’s a crack in the foundation of this old patriarchy. And there’s a light that shines through that crack... the hope for change, possibly also feminine.”
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-----------|--------------| | 01:20–03:56 | Death of Pope Francis, setup for Gaza priest interview | | 03:56–11:14 | Father Ferrero on war, loss, the Pope’s nightly calls | | 13:43–26:06 | Shireen Ibrahim on Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis | | 26:09–38:52 | Playwright Ryan Calais Cameron on “Retrograde” & McCarthyism | | 38:54–53:49 | Director Edward Berger on Vatican politics in “Conclave” |
Summary & Takeaways
- The episode revolves around the passing of Pope Francis and his remarkable, intimate support for Gaza’s embattled Christian community, exemplified by nightly phone calls in the face of deprivation and war.
- Father Carlos Ferrero’s firsthand account underscores the existential hardship in Gaza but also the spiritual resilience, fostered by the Church and the Pope’s pastoral attention—a “lifeline” for believers.
- The broader crisis of political policy and humanitarian aid is tied in through the Afghanistan segment, showing how U.S. decisions impact millions—and particularly women and children—on the ground.
- Cultural segments around McCarthyism and Vatican politics question how institutions face (or avoid) change, discrimination, and internal struggle—whether in religion, government, or the arts.
- The legacy of Pope Francis, both as a connector across divides and a voice for the suffering, looms large, while the succession and future shape of the Church—and of hope—remains uncertain.
This summary captures the heart of a wide-ranging episode: faith under fire in Gaza, humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, historical memory in pop culture, and the power struggles inside the oldest institutions in the world.