Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show – Ep. 1732: "Pope Leo XIV Elected: Everything You Need to Know"

Release Date: May 9, 2025

In Episode 1732 of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles delves into the unexpected election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and explores its profound implications for the Catholic Church, America, and the global community. Alongside this primary topic, Knowles addresses current political events, offers an analysis of Kanye West's controversial new song, and introduces an upcoming parenting series with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson.

I. Election of Pope Leo XIV

a. Announcement and Significance

At the outset of the episode, Knowles announces the election of the new pope: Pope Leo XIV, the first American to assume the papacy. He highlights his surprise at the choice, noting, "[00:00]...No one saw this coming," emphasizing the unprecedented nature of an American pope in over 500 years.

b. Background of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV is identified as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago. Knowles underscores Pope Leo's American heritage, dual citizenship with Peru, and his formation under St. Augustine's teachings. Being a canon lawyer, Pope Leo brings a traditional and legalistic approach to his role.

c. Analysis of the Inaugural Speech

Knowles provides a detailed analysis of Pope Leo XIV's first Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) speech:

• Languages Used: The pope delivered his speech primarily in Italian, Spanish, and Latin, with no English greetings, which garnered mixed reactions considering his American roots. Knowles remarks, "[...] if he were English-speaking, that would have been different, but he speaks Italian and Spanish instead."

• Traditional Vestments: Contrasting Pope Leo XIV's traditional attire with Pope Francis' more humble presentation, Knowles notes, "[...] he comes out in the vestments, the formal vestments of the Pope," seeing it as a commitment to tradition and formal authority.

• Content Emphasis: Pope Leo XIV's speech heavily references Our Lady (Mary) and incorporates traditional prayers, indicating a return to conventional Catholic values. Knowles quotes the pope's prayer:

  "We ask the special grace of Mary, who's our mother, as our Lord gives Mary to us when he gives her to St. John that says, 'Behold your mother.'" ([00:44]).

d. Connection to Pope Leo XIII

The choice of the name Leo XIV is particularly significant as it harkens back to Pope Leo XIII, one of the Catholic Church's most influential popes. Knowles draws parallels between the two, highlighting Pope Leo XIII's anti-socialist stances and prolific encyclicals. He asserts, "[...] the name is the great sign," suggesting that Pope Leo XIV may embody similar principles of Catholic social teaching and a strong stance against socialism.

e. Political Implications

Delving into political affiliations, Knowles reveals that Pope Leo XIV is a registered Republican, aligning him with conservative values. He discusses the complexities of mapping modern political divides onto an institution as old as the Catholic Church, noting:

"[...] the left right spectrum of politics does not map neatly onto an institution that predates the left right paradigm by almost 1800 years." ([36:12])

Knowles expresses cautious optimism about the pope's potential long-term influence, given his relatively young age of 69, which could result in a pontificate spanning two decades or more.

II. Current Political Commentary

a. President Trump's Remarks on Pete Buttigieg

Knowles transitions to discuss recent comments by President Donald Trump regarding former Transportation Secretary and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. Trump criticized Buttigieg's efficacy, stating:

"Buttigieg... didn't have a clue." ([20:56])

Knowles appreciates Trump's tone, describing it as appropriately critical yet maintaining a semblance of humor:

"That's a very normal tone. Got a bit of levity to it, but it's got a little reality to it." ([21:17])

He contrasts this with more aggressive political rhetoric, highlighting Trump's unique ability to blend criticism with humor without descending into overt condemnation.

b. Term Limits Discussion

In the mailbag segment, a listener named Michael Ryan from Florida inquires about presidential term limits. Knowles responds by expressing support for natural term limits determined by voters rather than formal constitutional amendments:

"I have no support for term limits... I'm much more on the side of letting people decide." ([36:12])

He references President Ronald Reagan's stance against the 22nd Amendment, advocating for greater voter autonomy in determining a president's tenure.

III. Kanye West's "Heil Hitler" – A Critical Analysis

One of the episode's pivotal discussions revolves around Kanye West's controversial new song titled "Heil Hitler." Knowles offers a nuanced interpretation, arguing that the song possesses significant artistic merit despite its provocative title.

a. Song Overview

The song opens with vivid imagery:

"I'm driving an all chrome mayback with all of the money and fame I still can't get my kids back." ([27:33])

Knowles interprets these lyrics as an expression of Kanye's personal turmoil, highlighting themes of anger, loss, and self-destructive behavior.

b. Lyric Dissection and Interpretation

He delves deeper into the song's meaning, suggesting that Kanye uses the reference to Nazism metaphorically to portray his descent into villainy and the consequences of his actions:

"I'm not being coherent. I'm just pure wrath right now. I'm a villain. I'm the bad guy." ([28:43])

Knowles contends that Kanye is not endorsing Nazism but rather illustrating his internal struggles, warning against the perils of unchecked anger and substance abuse.

c. Cultural Commentary

Knowles extends his analysis to critique modern pop culture's desensitization to extreme statements, arguing that Kanye's boldness reflects broader societal shifts:

"Now you've reached the end of the road. My ninjas are Nazis. Heil Hitler." ([28:25])

He emphasizes the need for deeper engagement with art to discern its true intent, cautioning against surface-level interpretations that may lead to misrepresentation.

IV. Upcoming Parenting Series with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

Towards the episode's conclusion, Knowles introduces a new four-part parenting series featuring Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. The trailer underscores the complexities and rewards of parenting, emphasizing discipline, consistency, and understanding children's behavioral changes.

a. Themes Addressed

Peterson discusses strategies for managing misbehavior, fostering competence, and maintaining effective parent-child communication:

"Rules consistently applied with minimal force and plenty of patience." ([24:53])

Knowles highlights the series' focus on practical advice rooted in Peterson's extensive clinical experience, aiming to empower parents to navigate the challenges of raising children effectively.

V. Mailbag Highlights

In the interactive mailbag segment, Knowles addresses listener questions on various topics:

a. Renewing Wedding Vows

A listener named Jordan B. Peterson (not the host) inquires about renewing wedding vows. Knowles advises against viewing vow renewal as a precursor to divorce, instead suggesting a focus on sacramentalizing the marriage within the Church:

"Marriage, once and done... what you're saying is, should I sacramentalize my marriage and make it right in the eyes of the church?" ([38:29])

He recommends enhancing the spiritual foundation of the existing marriage rather than redoing the ceremony.

b. Deportation Policies

Another listener questions the narrative surrounding deportations, asserting that deported individuals may not necessarily end up in prison upon return to their home countries. Knowles acknowledges the validity of this point but also mentions agreements with countries like El Salvador to handle criminal deportees:

"Presumably they deserve it because they've been committing a bunch of crimes." ([41:01])

He emphasizes the importance of due process, ensuring that deported individuals face consequences for their actions.

VI. Final Thoughts and Future Topics

Knowles concludes the episode by reaffirming his support for elevating high-quality, traditional art and culture, cautioning against the erosion of the Western canon. He underscores the significance of fostering environments that promote virtue and reason through cultural engagement.

"A culture that listens to gangster rap is going to be brutish... a culture that listens to Bach will be better and more reasonable and almost certainly more virtuous." ([42:43])

He also briefly teases forthcoming segments, including a special segment labeled "Fake Headline Friday," maintaining listener anticipation for future discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:00]: "No one saw this coming, so we'll get into it."
• [00:44]: "We ask the special grace of Mary, who's our mother..."
• [20:56]: "Buttigieg... didn't have a clue."
• [21:17]: "That's a very normal tone. Got a bit of levity to it, but it's got a little reality to it."
• [24:53]: "Rules consistently applied with minimal force and plenty of patience."
• [27:33]: "I'm driving an all chrome mayback with all of the money and fame I still can't get my kids back."
• [28:43]: "I'm not being coherent. I'm just pure wrath right now. I'm a villain. I'm the bad guy."
• [38:29]: "Marriage, once and done... what you're saying is, should I sacramentalize my marriage..."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and analyses presented by Michael Knowles in this episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the topics covered without needing to access the full podcast.