
The Golden Age with Andrew Zucker
How the Vatican Picked an AMERICAN Pope — and Why It Matters
May 20, 2025
In This Episode:
Andrew talks to John McCarthy, former political advisor to President Biden and liaison to the Catholic Church, about Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. McCarthy explains why the election of Pope Leo XIV surprised some Vatican watchers, what his name signals about his priorities, and how his papacy could continue Francis’s legacy. They also discuss the Church’s growing engagement with global policymakers and, of course, the new Pope’s brothers.
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