Upcoming Conclave Reflections by Maria Ressa, Nobel Laureate

Chatting with Maria Ressa on the Next Pope and the Catholic Church

Host:The much-awaited conclave to elect the next pope is knocking on our doors. And people worldwide are pondering what this could mean for the future of the Catholic Church. One such person is Maria Ressa. An advocate for press freedom, she gained fame for her coverage of Rodrigo Duterte's brutal regime in the Philippines. Maria has also had multiple meetings with Pope Francis, along with other Nobel laureates, to discuss pressing global matters. My colleague, Scott Detrow, had a chat with her recently about the upcoming conclave and how Pope Francis' legacy could shape the event.

Scott Detrow:When you think about the papacy, over the years, it has sometimes enforced inequality and the patriarchy. But at other times, it's stood up for equality, the poor, and the environment. What, as someone who spends a lot of time thinking about global authoritarianism, is the role and power of someone in the papacy to set an agenda and have such a prominent position to say things, to convene people? In your opinion, what's the most important aspect of that?

Maria Ressa:The Catholic Church has 1.4 billion followers worldwide. It's a massive community. And one thing Pope Francis did, for instance, was connect income inequality with climate change, advocating for the most inclusive church possible. The person elected by the conclave can guide the church in either direction. So yes, Pope Francis was a significant ally for progressive forces around the world.

Scott Detrow:What do you mean by a conservative ally of progressive forces?

Maria Ressa: because the Catholic Church is generally conservative, but it can become more progressive. He tried to make life better for everyone.

Scott Detrow:There's a worry among those who cheered on or were heartened by Pope Francis' papacy. They fear that the Catholic Church could head in the same direction as many governments around the world have during the past decade. Do you share that concern?

Maria Ressa:Absolutely, and you'll notice this in the battles Pope Francis had against conservative bishops and cardinals, even some in America.

Scott Detrow:Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle - he's on the list of half dozen or so potential popes...

Maria Ressa:Right.

Scott Detrow:...What should we know about him?

Maria Ressa:Number one, he's hilarious (laughter). Number two, he's a progressive thinker. He was criticized in the Philippines for not taking a strong enough stance against Duterte, but he did speak out against it. He speaks from the heart and makes religion accessible to everyone.

Scott Detrow:A lot of focus has been on where the next pope should be from. Some people argue that the future of this institution lies in Asia, countries like the Philippines. Do you agree with that argument?

Maria Ressa:As a Filipino, of course, I'd say yes. But I'd like a leader who takes us into the future, a pope who won't lead us back to the Dark Ages. I hope for a church that is more inclusive and provides us with the spiritual guidance we need in this chaotic world today.

Scott Detrow:Journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, who met Pope Francis several times. Thanks for your time, Maria.

Maria Ressa:Thank you for having me.

This transcript was provided by NPR and reflects the informal style of the original broadcast.

Background

The Catholic Church has 1.4 billion followers around the world.
Pope Francis is known for his progressive stances on social justice, climate change, and inclusivity.
He connected income inequality with climate change and pushed for the church to be as inclusive as possible.
Pope Francis has faced internal divisions with conservative bishops and cardinals, particularly in America.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, has had a role in Rome and is part of the list of potential popes. He's known for his progressive values and accessibility.
There's a debate about whether the future of the Catholic Church lies in Asia, specifically in countries like the Philippines.

The Catholic Church, with its 1.4 billion followers worldwide, has significant influence on global matters, especially with regards to social issues, such as climate change and income inequality.
Pope Francis, known for his progressive stances, advocated for a more inclusive church by connecting income inequality with climate change.
The newly elected pope can guide the church towards either progressiveness or conservatism, making their role crucial in shaping the future of the institution.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, a potential pope, is a progressive thinker who is known for his accessibility and willingness to speak out against injustice, which could potentially lead to a more inclusive and forward-thinking Catholic Church.