Pope Leo XIV: A New Era for the Catholic Church and Global Politics

The election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked global interest and speculation about the future of the Catholic Church. The Take podcast delves into this topic, featuring Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid, who provides expert analysis. Abdel-Hamid points to historical examples, such as the influence of John Paul II on the fall of the Berlin Wall, to illustrate the potential political impact of the papacy. 'So a pope can be very political,' she notes, highlighting the significant role the Catholic Church plays in the global arena. The discussion also acknowledges the rise of the far-right in Europe and the differing perspectives between the Catholic and Evangelical churches, adding layers of complexity to the analysis. The new Pope's influence promises to be a defining factor in shaping the future of religion and politics worldwide.