The Bulletin May 10, 2025
The rundown: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV's significance as leader of the Catholic Church is beyond dispute, but the papacy's role has historically extended far beyond the altar and pews. Find out how it has shaped America.
Why it matters: For more than a century, the papacy has shaped American affairs—through spiritual and cultural guidance—but also by quietly influencing major geopolitical shifts and cultural developments. From Cold War diplomacy to modern discussions on climate change and human rights, various popes have engaged with U.S. leaders behind the scenes, acting as mediators, moral voices and, at times, catalysts for historic change. Perhaps the most famous example of a pope's role in global affairs is Pope John Paul II's association with the fall of communism. A more recent example is Pope Francis' involvement in thawing relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Pope Leo XIV in His Own Words: Immigration, Euthanasia, Abortion and More
TL/DR: Some historians have suggested that the medieval papacy pioneered the concept of ambassadors, said Ben Wiedemann, lecturer at Cambridge University who specializes in the political role of the medieval papacy.
What happens now? The pope also has a more direct role on everyday Americans, in the sense that he is the head of a church followed by 20 percent of the country. Some 53 million U.S. adults are Catholic, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2024.
Deeper reading The Pope's Behind-the-Scenes Role in America
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