Podcast Summary: Tangle – "The Death of Pope Francis"

Release Date: April 22, 2025
Host: Isaac Saul

Introduction

In this poignant episode of Tangle, host Isaac Saul delves into the significant and global event—the passing of Pope Francis. Recognized as the Catholic Church's 266th pope, his death marks the end of a transformative era within the institution. Saul navigates through diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Pope Francis's legacy and its implications for the future of the Catholic Church and global politics.

Announcement of Pope Francis' Death

At [07:03], John delivers the breaking news:

"Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. Francis, the Catholic Church's 266th pope, had led the church since 2013 as a relatively progressive pontiff, grounding many of his beliefs in social and economic justice."

The announcement highlights his cause of death as a stroke leading to a coma and heart failure, following a battle with double pneumonia earlier in the year. Pope Francis' final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he addressed thousands in St. Peter's Square.

Overview of Pope Francis' Life and Papacy

John provides an extensive overview of Pope Francis's life:

• Early Life: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, he was the first pope from the Americas and the Jesuit Order.
• Clerical Journey: Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II.
• Papacy: Elected in 2013 following Pope Benedict XVI's resignation amidst internal church conflicts and the sexual abuse crisis.

Pope Francis was noted for:

• Reform Efforts: Addressing Vatican finances, overhauling bureaucracy, and decentralizing church power.
• Social Advocacy: Focusing on migrants, marginalized groups, climate change, and criticizing policies like those of President Donald Trump.
• Inclusivity: Making strides toward a more inclusive church, including tentative steps towards LGBTQ recognition within the church framework.

However, his papacy also faced criticisms for:

• Handling of Sexual Abuse Scandals: Initial hesitance in addressing the issue robustly.
• International Relations: Controversial stances on conflicts like Ukraine and relations with China.

Reactions from the Political Right

At [12:18], John summarizes opinions from conservative outlets:

• Critique of Progressive Reforms: The right acknowledges Pope Francis's concern for the poor but argues his reforms did not effectively aid disadvantaged groups. The Wall Street Journal editorial board stated:

  "Pope Francis championed the poor while favoring ideas that kept them poor... His papacy was marked by anti-Americanism."

• Ideological Conflicts: John Daniel Davidson of The Federalist contends that Francis's leadership led to "chaos, confusion, and division," failing to unify the church and instead deepening existing fractures.

• Declining Influence: George Weigel of The Washington Post criticizes Francis for diminishing the Vatican's role on the global stage, citing the 2018 agreement with Beijing and his handling of the Ukraine conflict as detrimental to the church's credibility.

Reactions from the Political Left

Contrastingly, the left offers a more favorable view:

• Humanitarian Legacy: Praise for his efforts to make the church more inclusive and socially conscious. The Washington Post editorial board remarked:

  "Pope Francis pulled the Catholic Church into the 21st century... deeply divisive within the Roman Catholic Church that sought to fundamentally reorient the institution as more liberal."

• Advocacy for the Marginalized: Highlighting his focus on climate change, support for persecuted minorities, and championing of refugees and migrants.

• LGBTQ Inclusivity: Guthrie Graves Fitzsimmons of MSNBC emphasizes Francis's "non-judgmental approach to LGBTQ issues," noting meaningful policy changes like allowing transgender people to be baptized and priests to bless same-sex couples.

• Future Outlook: Pablo Castagno of Jacobin predicts a potential rightward shift in the Catholic Church post-Francis, suggesting his successor may adopt a more conservative stance in response to global political trends.

Isaac Saul's Personal Take

At [21:41], Isaac Saul offers his reflections:

"Pope Francis was not just a religious leader but a head of state with a particular worldview and political approach that was not easy to ignore."

Saul acknowledges Francis's significant contributions to social justice, environmentalism, and efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive. He appreciates the Pope's attempts to address pressing global issues and his push for a more vibrant and inclusive church. However, Saul also critiques:

• Delayed Reforms: His tardiness in addressing sexual assault scandals within the church.
• Controversial Stances: Blaming NATO for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and perceived leniency towards anti-faith actions.
• Political Missteps: Cozying up to China despite human rights concerns and fracturing relationships with traditional factions within the church.

Saul concludes that while Pope Francis introduced valuable changes, his legacy is marred by divisions and contentious policies that may overshadow his positive impacts.

Conclusion

The episode of Tangle provides a balanced examination of Pope Francis's life, leadership, and the multifaceted reactions to his passing. By presenting viewpoints from both the political right and left, alongside personal insights from Isaac Saul, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding his papacy. As the Catholic Church prepares for a conclave to elect his successor, the legacy of Pope Francis remains a pivotal influence on the direction the church will take in the future.

Notable Quotes:

• John at [07:03]:

  "Francis, the Catholic Church's 266th pope, had led the church since 2013 as a relatively progressive pontiff, grounding many of his beliefs in social and economic justice."

• The Wall Street Journal at [12:18]:

  "Pope Francis championed the poor while favoring ideas that kept them poor."

• Isaac Saul at [21:41]:

  "...Pope Francis introduced some chaos to the papacy... His edicts were frequently controversial or unclear."

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