Episode 87 | Of American Popes and American Power in a Multipolar Age

Foreign Policy ProvCast

Pondering recent events in the Vatican, the Provcast crew talks through the legacy of Pope Francis and the rise of "Pope Bob from Chicago" (the first Bishop of Rome to laugh at the Blues Brothers?) against the backdrop of a more important question: What role should the Roman Pontiff play in global affairs, if any? They then pick up questions surrounding the emerging, and likely unsatisfying, peace deal in Ukraine, Trump's visit to the Middle East, and the role of allies and "spheres of influence" in US grand strategy. Towards the end, they turn to the topic of national memory in light of America's retreat from Vietnam 50 years ago and its victory over Nazism 30 years before that, exploring America's unique capacity for renewal despite major setbacks. Articles mentioned: https://providencemag.com/2025/05/the-power-of-the-papacy-in-international-affairs/ https://providencemag.com/2025/05/the-world-needs-a-cold-warrior-pope/ https://providencemag.com/2025/04/americas-defeat-50-years-ago/ https://providencemag.com/2025/05/ignoring-americas-greatest-victory/ https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50219