Summary of "How An American Pope May Influence American Politics"

Podcast: The NPR Politics Podcast
Hosts: Sarah McCammon and Domenico Montanaro
Guest: Jason DeRose, NPR’s Religion Correspondent
Release Date: May 13, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, hosts Sarah McCammon and Domenico Montanaro engage in a comprehensive discussion with NPR’s religion correspondent, Jason DeRose, about the election of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, and its potential ramifications on American politics. The conversation delves into Pope Leo’s background, his theological and political stances, and the interplay between the Catholic Church's teachings and the political inclinations of American Catholics.

2. Election of Pope Leo XIV

The episode begins by setting the stage for the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost from Chicago, who served in Peru before his ascension to the papacy.

Sarah McCammon introduces the topic:

“Cardinals in the Catholic Church elected the former Robert Prevost as pope last week. He's now Pope Leo XIV. He's originally from Chicago, but spent several years in ministry in Peru as well.” (02:01)

Jason DeRose adds context about the conclave process:

“In the days leading up to the conclave itself, they were meeting in these things called congregations, where they would get together and talk about all the sorts of issues facing the church.” (03:05)

3. Pope Leo XIV's Views and Public Statements

Jason DeRose provides insights into Pope Leo's public persona, particularly his social media presence.

“He's very Catholic in his tweeting. He retweets the Vatican quite often... especially retweeted things that were critical of Donald Trump, retweeted criticism of migration and immigration policies...” (02:01)

This indicates Pope Leo's alignment with certain social and political issues, reflecting a continuation of Pope Francis’s emphasis on social justice.

4. Impact on American Catholic Voters

The hosts and DeRose explore how the American Catholic demographic may respond to Pope Leo’s papacy, especially considering their voting behaviors.

Domenico Montanaro observes:

“American Catholics tend to vote their politics, not really their religion. And I think that's true with a lot of people.” (04:13)

Jason DeRose highlights the divergence between official church teachings and the beliefs of lay Catholics:

“According to Pew Research, 60% of Catholic voters favor abortion rights in all or most cases, 70% of Catholics believe that same sex marriage should be legal.” (05:14)

This disconnect suggests that while the pope holds significant influence, American Catholics may continue to prioritize broader political affiliations over explicit religious directives.

5. Relationship with American Political Figures

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the dynamic between Pope Leo XIV and prominent American politicians, particularly former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

Sarah McCammon raises a pertinent point:

“Pope Leo, before he was pope, retweeted some criticism of Vice President J.D. Vance, who himself is a convert to Catholicism.” (10:57)

Jason DeRose speculates on potential interactions:

“I will be very interested to see if Pope Leo specifically takes him to task by name or by issue the same way that Pope Francis did.” (11:18)

This highlights the possibility of the papacy exerting direct influence or critique on American political figures, which could have broader implications for political discourse within Catholic communities.

6. Catholic Church's Stance on the New Pope

The episode delves into how Catholic leaders are positioning Pope Leo XIV, especially emphasizing his global perspective over his American origins.

Jason DeRose explains:

“They referred to him as a citizen of the world... and that makes him more cosmopolitan than someone who, say, was born and raised and lived his whole life on the south side of Chicago.” (12:39)

This portrayal aims to present Pope Leo as a universal leader, potentially mitigating any perceptions of American bias or partisanship.

7. Potential Political Influence

The conversation addresses the broader implications of having an American pope in the current political climate, especially during the Trump administration.

Domenico Montanaro contrasts papal influence with presidential power:

“Trump has the bully pulpit, the American presidency... but the pope has the highest holy pulpit of anybody on earth.” (10:23)

Jason DeRose underscores the divergent stances between Pope Leo and Trump:

“Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV are not aligned on many issues, including migrants and refugees, workers rights, the environment.” (14:34)

The hosts suggest that Pope Leo’s global platform could serve as a counterbalance to Trump’s influence, especially on issues where their views diverge.

8. Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and DeRose reflect on the historical significance of Pope Leo XIV's election and anticipate his future initiatives.

Jason DeRose speculates on potential future directions:

“Given some of his early statements so far, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a new On New Things coming up, perhaps focusing on things like technology, specifically artificial intelligence...” (07:45)

The discussion concludes with an acknowledgment of the complex interplay between religion and politics, and how Pope Leo XIV may navigate these waters to influence both the Catholic Church and American political landscapes.

Notable Quotes

• Jason DeRose on Pope Leo’s social media approach:

  “He's very Catholic in his tweeting. He retweets the Vatican quite often... especially retweeted things that were critical of Donald Trump...” (02:01)

• Domenico Montanaro on American Catholic voting behavior:

  “American Catholics tend to vote their politics, not really their religion.” (04:13)

• Jason DeRose on the disconnect between church teachings and lay beliefs:

  “There’s a disconnect between what the Church technically teaches or officially teaches and what actual Catholics believe about political issues.” (05:50)

• Sarah McCammon on Pope Leo’s American identity:

  “But he is an American at a moment when the American president is, I think it's safe to say, a controversial one.” (14:20)

• Domenico Montanaro on the symbolic power of the pope:

  “The pope has the highest holy pulpit of anybody on earth.” (10:23)

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a nuanced exploration of the potential political influence wielded by Pope Leo XIV as the first American pope. Through insightful dialogue, the hosts and Jason DeRose shed light on the delicate balance between religious authority and political dynamics, particularly within the context of American Catholicism. As Pope Leo XIV settles into his role, his actions and statements will be pivotal in shaping both the Catholic Church's direction and its intersection with American politics.