What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later

What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later

Author: Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, Amanda Henderson, Iliff School of Theology April 20, 2026 Duration: 30:54
A year after his death, the Catholic Church is moving forward—and revealing what Francis actually changed. While he was alive, Francis' papacy was interpreted in real time: praised, criticized and debated. It was difficult to separate what was truly changing from what simply felt different because of him. Now, the Church moves forward, and this movement offers something new. A chance to see what was durable. What still feels like Francis? What has been absorbed into the Church’s way of operating? And what, if anything, has already begun to fade? In this episode, we step back from the moment-to-moment reactions and take a first real look at Pope Francis in hindsight. Not to revisit his papacy, but to understand it differently—through what we can now see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Complexified is a conversation that starts from a simple, uncomfortable truth: the forces of faith and power are woven into the fabric of our everyday existence, from kitchen tables to courtrooms. Hosted by Amanda Henderson of the Iliff School of Theology and presented by the Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, this podcast deliberately steps into the tangled intersections where belief systems meet policy, cultural norms, and social strife. We move beyond superficial debates to examine how these deep structures actually function, why certain problems feel so immovable, and where the possibilities for genuine movement might lie. Each episode is an effort to untangle a specific, knotty issue, listening for the underlying narratives and historical currents that often go unspoken. The goal isn't to provide easy answers but to foster a more nuanced comprehension, the kind required for meaningful engagement rather than repeated conflict. Tuning into this podcast means joining a rigorous yet accessible exploration of our shared life, acknowledging the complexity so often glossed over in public discourse. It’s an invitation to think more deeply about the roots of our divisions and the potential pathways forward, grounded in the conviction that clearer understanding is a necessary first step toward any durable change.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 97

Complexified
Podcast Episodes
How One Abuse Story Changed a Reporter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:55
Sometimes a story breaks you open. While reporting on abuse and accountability inside the Southern Baptist Convention, RNS journalist Bob Smietana reached out to someone he’d interviewed many times before — publisher and…
The Conservative Christian Momfluencer Machine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:39
What if your favorite wholesome mom account was also your quietest political radicalizer? Earlier this year, RNS Editor Roxanne Stone was in Austin, Texas talking about tradwife influencers—women whose soft, nostalgic ae…
From Pink to Waterproof: The Weird Economics of U.S. Bible Sales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:06
A paradox: declining churchgoing, rising Bible sales. Americans are attending church less—and buying more Bibles than ever. In this Complexified conversation, Amanda Henderson and RNS reporter Bob Smietana unpack the par…
Beyond Identity Politics: The Mamdani Method in New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
What happens when a Muslim mayor-elect treats identity as a bridge, not a brand? In this episode of Complexified, Amanda Henderson explores the story of Zoran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor-elect—a politicia…
Chainsaws, Catechism, and Courage: How One Parish Grew Through Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
In a dusty parking lot, worship meets organizing as a community faces ICE—and refuses to disappear. In Vista, California, a Catholic parish that worships outdoors has become a refuge and a rallying point: 13,000 people o…
Cease-Fire Isn’t Peace: Inside the Vatican’s Quiet Work on Gaza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
When peacemaking is quiet, stubborn, and deeply human. In this conversation, host Amanda Henderson sits with RNS reporter Claire Giangravè to open the door on Vatican diplomacy during the Gaza cease-fire. We hear about p…
Baptizing the Battlefield: Pete Hegseth’s Holy War at the Pentagon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:51
A Secretary of War leads worship at the Pentagon—how far can faith go before it becomes policy? Pete Hegseth calls it a “warrior ethos.” Critics call it a constitutional crisis. In this episode of Complexified, Amanda He…