In the midst of contentious elections around the world, Pope Leo XIV is preaching unity, both in the Catholic Church and in the world. But what does unity—or “unity in diversity,” as Leo often advocates—look like in practice? Church historian Massimo Faggioli joins host Colleen Dulle to talk about Pope Leo’s efforts and tactics for promoting unity and peace.

Find Dr. Faggioli’s new book, Leo XIV and the Global Church: Unity and Peace in English from Liturgical Press here.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Significance of a U.S.-born pope
5:42 Social vs. liberal vs. democratic Catholicism
11:55 Pope Leo XIV’s social Catholicism and its roots
15:41 Leo’s ability to speak to the United States
20:03 ‘Unity in diversity’ as a ‘spiritual posture’
25:22 Liturgy as a case study in Leo’s unity
28:09 Leo’s techniques for calm and unification
31:15 Synodality vs. collegiality under Pope Leo
36:33 Tensions between Catholicism and democracy
40:04 Catholics’ changing participation in U.S. politics

Links:

Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome 

Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle 

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Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning.

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