Pope Leon
Interestingly, around 50 percent of practicing Catholics back President Trump in his approach towards Iran, which some see as a terrorist threat seeking nuclear capability.
Now, it’s undeniable that Trump’s support is dwindling among those who identify as Catholic. However, for actual church-goers—those who attend Mass regularly—his support remains at a 58-42% ratio in his favor.
On the other hand, among Catholics who infrequently or never attend, the numbers flip: 42 percent approve of Trump, while 58 percent do not.
Is the podcaster Pope repeating the mistakes of the former Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy? Think about it…
Though it might seem like an odd analogy, when Kennedy focused on appealing to women and the LGBTQ+ community, she ended up alienating the original fan base of Star Wars. It was a miscalculation, driven by the assumption that expanding outreach to these groups could substitute for the loyal supporters who had loved Star Wars for decades. Ultimately, the series became something unrecognizable to many long-time fans, and she resigned amid criticism.
Kennedy’s hubris was founded on her perceived loyalty from fans, which proved misguided. Despite her strategy, audiences continued to show up, albeit under duress as she distanced herself from their expectations.
This leads me to consider if Pope Leo thinks he can achieve what Kennedy could not. His harsh and seemingly unfounded criticisms of Trump give me pause—could he be under the impression that he can mend the rift within the church? The notion that loyal Catholics, those who support Trump and attend services regularly, won’t feel disenchanted and potentially walk away, feels misguided.
Another angle to explore…
What Kennedy attempted with Star Wars left little room for argument. Even if her stated intention was to create a more inclusive universe, it came across as a self-serving desire to impose her vision on something beloved. Her decisions seemed aimed at expanding the audience while inadvertently alienating core fans.
Pope Leo appears to be making a similar mistake by masking his actions as a call for peace and understanding. Yet, it often feels like he’s getting entangled in political issues that distract from his true role of guiding people’s spiritual journeys.
In both cases, the original duties went unfulfilled. Kennedy was supposed to lead Star Wars into a new era while maintaining its legacy. Pope Leo, on the other hand, should be focused on reaching out to everyone in the spirit of salvation. Ironically, the approach he’s taken seems to be doing the opposite, potentially alienating those practicing Catholics he should be uplifting.
