Morning Wire Podcast Summary Episode: "Picking the Next Pope & Democrats’ New Message" | April 22, 2025

1. The Passing of Pope Francis and the Search for His Successor

The episode opens with the somber news of Pope Francis' passing, which occurred just one day after he delivered his Easter message to millions of Christians worldwide. Host Georgia Howe introduces the topic, highlighting the imminent selection of a new pontiff and the emergence of several potential candidates.

• Georgia Howe [00:03]: "Pope Francis passes away just one day after delivering an Easter message to millions of Christian faithful."

2. Assessing Pope Francis’ Legacy

John Bickley delves into Pope Francis' transformative and sometimes polarizing papacy. He discusses Francis' progressive reforms and their potential reversals under a new pope.

• John Bickley [00:33]: "Pope Francis had opened the door to giving blessings to individuals and same-sex unions. That's something we could potentially see reversed."

The conversation touches on Francis' significant actions, such as his 2013 statement on gay priests and his 2015 encyclical advocating for environmental action. Bickley also notes Pope Francis' consistent stance on immigration, referencing his recent warnings against anti-migrant sentiments.

• John Bickley [02:01]: "He did endorse civil unions for same-sex couples. That was a historic move for a pope. And he approved a document saying that priests could bless gay couples."

3. Conservative Backlash and Church Dynamics

Despite his progressive initiatives, Francis faced resistance from conservative factions within the Church. Bickley explains how Francis' efforts to suppress conservative resurgence led to tensions, including restrictions on the Latin Mass and the appointment of more moderate and progressive bishops.

• John Bickley [04:11]: "Francis also took actions to suppress a conservative resurgence in the church."

The episode features insights from Father Robert Sirico, who believes accusations labeling Francis as a Marxist are exaggerated, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who critiques Francis' understanding of the United States.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [05:26]: "He was really progressive. I think he profoundly misunderstood the United States on a very visceral level."

4. Emerging Trends Toward Conservative Catholicism Among Youth

John Bickley highlights a surge in conservative Catholicism, particularly among young people in regions like New York City and parts of Europe. Recent statistics from the Bishops Conference of France indicate a significant increase in Catholic conversions among young adults, signaling a potential shift in the Church's future direction.

• John Bickley [05:58]: "More than 10,000 adults were baptized into the Roman Catholic Church on Easter Sunday... mostly coming from young adults between the ages of 18 and 25."

This trend suggests that the next pope may need to address the growing conservative sentiment within the younger Catholic demographic.

5. The Papal Conclave: Potential Candidates for the Next Pope

Mairead Elordi provides an overview of the papal conclave process, detailing how cardinals convene to elect the new pope. The discussion emphasizes the debate between conservative and progressive candidates vying for the papacy.

• Mairead Elordi [07:53]: "The cardinals will convene over the next few days to select the pope."

Notable conservative candidates include Cardinal Robert Seurat from Guinea, Cardinal Wim Edge from the Netherlands, Cardinal Malcolm Rangith from Sri Lanka, and Cardinal Raymond Burke from the United States. Each of these figures has been vocal in their criticism of Francis' policies and represents a more traditionalist approach to Church leadership.

• Mairead Elordi [08:41]: "Cardinal Raymond Burke is one of the few potential successors from the United States. Burke said that Catholic politicians who support legal abortion, like former President Joe Biden, should not receive the Eucharist."

On the progressive side, candidates like Cardinal Luis Antonio Tegli, the "Asian Pope Francis," French Cardinal Jean Marc Aveline, and Italian Cardinal Pietro Powerlin are highlighted. These individuals are recognized for their diplomatic experience and more liberal stances on social issues.

• Mairead Elordi [09:49]: "French Cardinal Jean Marc Aveline, who was reportedly Francis's favorite to succeed him and is well liked in left-wing circles."

6. Democratic Party’s Leadership Crisis Amid Republican Control

Transitioning to domestic politics, the podcast addresses the Democratic Party's struggle to find a cohesive message and leader as President Trump nears his 100th day in office. With Republicans holding control in Washington, Democrats are portrayed as being in a state of introspection and reorganization.

• Cabot Phillips [10:56]: "Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here to break down what's at stake in this intra-party power struggle."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discusses the recent decline in approval ratings for Democratic leaders, citing a Gallup poll that shows only 25% approval. The absence of a clear standard-bearer has opened the door for figures like Bernie Sanders and AOC to gain prominence.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [11:06]: "Seven in 10 gave a C, D or F. Now, if they had a singular leader to rally around, there might be more optimism. But there isn't a clear standard bearer waiting in the wings."

7. The Rise of AOC and Bernie Sanders as Democratic Leaders

The conversation highlights the ascendancy of AOC and Bernie Sanders, driven by their appeal to the party's base, particularly younger and more progressive voters. Their fundraising efforts and high approval ratings position them as frontrunners for potential leadership roles and future presidential nominations.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [12:54]: "She raised nearly $10 million last quarter. That is by far her largest haul since taking office."

However, there's an ongoing tension within the Democratic Party between pushing further left and attempting to adopt a more moderate stance to regain broader electoral support. California Governor Gavin Newsom represents the moderate faction, advocating for strategies that avoid polarizing issues and appeal to centrist voters.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [13:13]: "Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing hard for his party to make a beeline for the middle."

Despite these efforts, the podcast suggests that the push for moderation has not significantly resonated with the party's base, which continues to favor anti-Trump messaging and progressive policies.

• Cabot Phillips [14:10]: "It seems like most Democrats still are all in on the anti Trump messaging."

Conclusion

The episode of Morning Wire provides an in-depth analysis of two significant fronts: the Catholic Church's transition following Pope Francis' death and the Democratic Party's internal struggles in the face of Republican control. With emerging trends in both religious and political spheres, the discussions underscore the pivotal moments that lie ahead for institutional leadership and ideological direction.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights presented during the episode.