The pope's behind-the-scenes role in America
Read The pope's behind-the-scenes role in America on WALY Radio
The pope's behind-the-scenes role in America
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV's significance as leader of the Catholic Church is beyond dispute, but the papacy's role has historically extended far beyond the altar and pews.For more than a century, the papacy has shaped American affairs—through spiritual and cultural guidance—but also by quietly influencing major geopolitical shifts and cultural developments.From Cold War diplomacy to modern discussions on climate change and human rights, various popes have engaged with U.S. leaders behind the scenes, acting as mediators, moral voices and, at times, catalysts for historic change.Some historians have suggested that the medieval papacy pioneered the concept of ambassadors, said Ben ..