Air Date: 4–29-2026

Today we explore the extraordinary clash between Pope Leo XIV and the Trump White House — a feud involving military threats, medieval papal history, and an American-born pope who refuses to back down. We'll hear why analysts say MAGA's religiosity is pure aesthetic, and what that hollowness means for the millions of Americans still taking their faith seriously.

Full Show Notes

Transcript

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: "Two Versions of Christianity": Pope Leo Calls for Peace as U.S. Uses Religion to Justify Iran War - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-1-26

KP 2: What's Driving the Surge of Catholic Converts? Plus Gabriel Salguero - The Holy Post - Air Date 4-1-26

KP 3: What's Behind a Growing Rift Between Conservative U.S. Catholics and the Vatican - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 12-16-23

KP 4: Why Are US Catholics Like That !? - The Kavernacle - Air Date 4-16-26

KP 5: Pope Bob Vs. Trump World Part 1 - Conspirituality - Air Date 5-22-25

KP 6: Did Trump Officials Threaten the Vatican' The Avignon Papacy Warning Explained - SWAJ with Brad Onishi and Dan Miller - Air Date 4-11-26

KP 7: Republicans .0002 Seconds After the Pope Says Anything - Man Carrying Thing - Air Date 4-18-26

(00:47:36) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Pope Leo vs. Trump: The Catholic Opening Democrats Are Blowing

DEEPER DIVES

(00:56:09) SECTION A: TRUMP AND COMPANY'S LOVE/HATE PAPAL RELATIONSHIP

(01:39:29) SECTION B: ANTI CATHOLIC SENTIMENT IN AMERICA

(02:05:17) SECTION C: THE POPE VS THE TRUMP

(02:49:26) SECTION D: SOME MISC HISTORICAL CONTEXT

SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: Composite image of Pope Leo XIV and Trump against the background of Trump's AI image of himself as Jesus.

Credit: Internal design. Components: 1. "Pope Leo XIV 3 (3x4 crop)" by Edgar Beltran, The Pillar via Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Changes: Transparent background | 2. "Donald Trump" by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Transparent background | 3. Trump as Jesus, AI image, Truth Social, Public Domain