Pope Leo XIV vs MAGA Catholicism

Just weeks after the death of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church has elected its first-ever U.S. pope: Leo XIV. But instead of celebration, his election has ignited a firestorm across the far-right Catholic internet—from memes and AI-generated propaganda to conspiracy theories and calls for “making the Church great again.”

In this episode of Whiplash, hosts Max Kuzma and Emma Cieslik trace the rise of Catholic nationalism in the United States and explore how Pope Leo’s election collides with the political and spiritual agendas of the MAGA movement. What does it mean for Catholicism to be at a crossroads? What role is doctrine playing in these ideological battles? And how do we hold both hope and honesty as the Church enters this new chapter?

Whether you're a cradle Catholic, an exvangelical, or just deeply curious about the future of religion and politics—this episode is for you.

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