The Michael Knowles Show - Episode 1730 Summary: "What the Next Pope Means for You"

Release Date: May 7, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles
Guest: Bishop Robert Barron
Podcast: The Michael Knowles Show, The Daily Wire

1. The Significance of the Papal Conclave

[00:00] Michael Knowles:
Michael Knowles opens the episode by emphasizing the monumental significance of the papal conclave underway in Rome. He asserts, “The Catholic Church is the single most important institution in the West. It is the only institution in the west that has survived from antiquity and it is the last institution holding our decaying civilization together.” This sets the stage for a deep dive into why the election of a new pope is a pivotal event not just for Catholics but for Western civilization as a whole.

2. Understanding the Conclave Process

[07:30] Michael Knowles:
Knowles outlines the meticulous process of the conclave: following the funeral of Pope Francis, cardinal electors will gather in the Sistine Chapel after a special Mass. Security measures are stringent, with "military grade signal jammers turned on" to prevent any external interference. The voting process is rigorous, potentially extending over several days if a consensus isn’t reached swiftly. Knowles explains, “If no one is elected Pope on the first ballot, this could go on for some days,” highlighting the unpredictable nature of the conclave.

[44:32] Bishop Robert Barron:
Bishop Barron provides further clarity on the voting mechanics, mentioning, “They have to pause for a day of prayer, and then they pick it up again,” and explaining that eventually, the cardinals may narrow the contenders to two before reaching a decision. He adds, “Over the last hundred years, the average is about seven ballots to elect the Pope,” giving listeners an expectation framework for the conclave's duration.

3. The Catholic Church's Impact on Western Civilization

[03:45] Michael Knowles:
Knowles delves into the historical and cultural influence of the Catholic Church, stating, “The Catholic Church built the cathedrals. The Catholic Church built the universities. The Catholic Church built the governments, in many ways, of a lot of our nations.” He underscores that the Church's contributions extend beyond religious confines, shaping art, architecture, education, and governance in the West.

[06:20] Michael Knowles:
Echoing this sentiment, Knowles emphasizes, “lexerrandi, lex credendi. The way that we worship, the law that we worship. The law of worship is the law of belief,” linking worship practices directly to societal beliefs and values. He suggests that changes within the Church's liturgical practices could have far-reaching implications for Western societal norms.

4. Leading Candidates for the Papacy

[40:36] Bishop Robert Barron:
Bishop Barron discusses potential candidates, mentioning figures like Cardinal Tagle from the Philippines, Cardinal Zuppi from Italy, Cardinal Perolin as a front-runner, and Cardinal Erdu of Budapest as a conservative favorite. He notes, “I think someone like Cardinal Erdo is a more likely candidate for the conservatives, and he's the one that most people say is most like John Paul II,” indicating a preference for leaders with doctrinal clarity and cultural outreach.

[43:34] Michael Knowles:
Knowles brings forth American perspectives, pondering the possibility of electing a traditional conservative like Cardinal Burke or Cardinal Serra. However, Barron counters this by highlighting age and doctrinal extremity as potential barriers, stating, “I don't think so. Maybe 10 years ago, Sarah was 10 years younger, possibly, but he's 79.”

5. Key Issues Influencing the Cardinals

[45:58] Bishop Robert Barron:
Barron outlines the diverse challenges faced by the global Church, including secularization in the West, loss of Catholics to Protestant denominations in Latin America, persecution in Africa, and inter-religious dialogues in Asia. He identifies evangelization as the paramount concern: “how to keep that movement alive is maybe the dominant concern.”

6. The Role of Liturgy in the Conclave

[47:22] Bishop Robert Barron:
Addressing internal Church matters, Barron acknowledges ongoing tensions over liturgical practices. He observes, “Many feel that Francis put more restrictions on it [the traditional Latin Mass]. A lot of the very conservative Catholics did not feel included.” This indicates that liturgical preferences may influence the cardinals' decisions, potentially swaying them towards candidates who favor a return to traditional practices.

[48:03] Michael Knowles:
Knowles reflects on this, hoping for a resolution that would appease conservative factions within the Church, stating, “I wouldn't be totally surprised if the next pope went back to what Pope Benedict decided,” suggesting a preference for leaders who support traditional liturgical forms.

7. Broader Implications for Western Civilization

[09:50] Michael Knowles:
Expanding beyond the conclave, Knowles touches upon the broader theme of institutional decay in Western civilization. He laments, “when I say the universities are dying, when I say the regimes are dying, I mean, like, the nations are literally dying,” positioning the Church as the last bastion holding Western values together.

[10:27] Bishop Robert Barron:
While the primary focus remains on the conclave, Bishop Barron briefly acknowledges other societal issues, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the Church's role with contemporary Western challenges.

8. Conclusion: A Hope for Stability

[48:16] Bishop Robert Barron:
In closing, Bishop Barron offers a hopeful note, urging listeners to pray for guidance: “God bless you. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire these cardinals.” His words reflect a desire for divine wisdom to guide the conclave towards electing a pope who can navigate the Church through modern challenges.

[48:20] Michael Knowles:
Knowles reciprocates the sentiment, expressing gratitude towards Bishop Barron and reinforcing the episode’s central theme: the critical role of the Catholic Church in shaping and sustaining Western civilization.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Knowles [00:00]:
  “The Catholic Church is the single most important institution in the West. It is the only institution in the west that has survived from antiquity and it is the last institution holding our decaying civilization together.”

• Bishop Robert Barron [40:36]:
  “The Pope, whether you like it or not, is the most significant religious figure on planet Earth.”

• Michael Knowles [43:34]:
  “American conservatives think it would be funny for the first black pope to be one of the most traditionalist figures in the church in recent memory.”

• Bishop Robert Barron [45:58]:
  “Evangelization, the great call of Vatican II, the new evangelization espoused by Paul VI and John Paul II and Francis… how to keep that movement alive is maybe the dominant concern.”

Conclusion

Episode 1730 of "The Michael Knowles Show" provides an insightful exploration into the ongoing papal conclave, emphasizing the profound impact the Catholic Church holds over Western civilization. Through a candid conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, Knowles highlights the intricate balance the Church must maintain between tradition and modernity, the diverse challenges it faces globally, and the critical importance of electing a pope who can guide it effectively into the future. This episode serves as a compelling reminder of the Church's enduring legacy and its pivotal role in shaping societal values and norms.