The Religion and Ethics Report - Separate stories podcast

Guardian columnist Peter Lewis has been reading the Pope's encyclical, not as an adherent of the Catholic faith but as someone who's “proudly human”.

The latest flashpoint is a dispute over Islamic burial rites.

The very slow rise of Muslim immigration hasn't slowed the rise of anti-immigration sentiment in Japanese politics and society. 

It's a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation. The man set to become the next prime minister of Britain, Andy Burnham, is best known as the popular and successful mayor of Greater Manchester in northern England. But long before that, he was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church's teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership? One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice. But there's also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation.GUESTS:Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq.Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.Samirah Majumdar is the lead author of Pew Research's recent report.This program is made on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

It's a funeral taking place over six days, five cities and two countries. Crowds have overwhelmed the streets of Iran to mourn or just watch the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Khamenei. He and other family members died in February in attacks by the US and Israel. Khamenei ran a brutal regime that killed an estimated 40,000 demonstrators earlier this year, but his funeral has become a rallying point for the nation. GUEST:Dr Ali Mamouri  is a Middle East specialist at Deakin University and a former adviser to an earlier reform government in neighbouring Iraq. 

Long before being a PM incumbent, Andy Burnham was a pious altar boy in his local Catholic church in Liverpool. Burnham has referred frequently to his Catholic background and values, even if he observes only some of the church's teaching. How much will faith shape his prime ministership? GUEST:Hannah Rich is a senior researcher at the London-based think tank Theos.

One of the hallmarks of an authoritarian regime is severe restrictions on religious practice.But there's also been a marked increase in religious repression by individuals, sometimes in defiance of more liberal government policies. The Pew Research Center in Washington has been monitoring this situation. GUEST:Samirah Majumder is the lead author of Pews recent report. 

July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence. For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious. Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics. As part of Radio National's America 250 coverage, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton.And a longer version of this interview is on our webpage.  Guests:Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education.MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON is author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.  RELATED MATERIAL: God Forbid on The Scofield Bible

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust.Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice. The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.  Plus July the 4th marks 250 years since the founders of the United States ratified the Declaration of Independence. For a nation that was designed explicitly to separate church and state – unlike much of old Europe – the US became remarkably religious. Even as the number of non-religious Americans grows, faith still permeates the culture and, especially, the politics. As part of Radio National's America 250 series, we caught up with historian Matthew Avery Sutton – a longer version is on our webpage.  Guests:Dr BREANN FALLON is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education.MATTHEW AVERY SUTTON, author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.   

Research appears to show teacher fears around teaching students about the Holocaust.Hearings resumed this week at the antisemitism royal commission, with public figures, including MPs, recounting their experience with anti-Jewish prejudice. The hearings coincided with new research showing some high school teachers in New South Wales were nervous about teaching the history of the Holocaust because of a backlash from some students.  Guest:Dr Breann Fallon is chief executive at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which runs programmes dealing with genocide education. 

A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it's popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent. GUEST:TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.    

If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn't hot enough, there's now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council. GUEST:WYRE DAVIES is the BBC's Middle East correspondent. He's been covering this story.

After 180 years in Australia, the Catholic order of Christian Brothers is closing down – bankrupt and shamed by the child sexual abuse scandal. The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won't receive all they're seeking but the Brothers have revealed they've already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980. If the geopolitics of Israel and Palestine isn't hot enough, there's now a controversy over control of the Al-Aqsa mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem. For decades, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been the official custodian, allowing non-Muslims to visit but not to pray. But Israeli hardliners -- backed reputedly by the Trump administration and some Gulf Arab states -- want to transfer control to a so-called multi-faith council. A litmus test for anyone seeking office as a Democrat in the US is unqualified support for abortion. At the moment, it's popular. Even in Republican states have passed ballot measures to over-ride abortion bans. But can the Democrats forge a long-term coalition to win the congress and the presidency without some pro-life voters, especially Catholics? A growing number of progressive Democrats say the party needs to be a bigger tent. GUESTSProfessor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.WYRE DAVIES is the BBC's Middle East correspondent.TIMOTHY KIRCHOFF is a contributing writer to the liberal Catholic magazine, Commonweal.    

The Christian Brothers have announced a plan to sell off their remaining 36 properties in Australia at an estimated value of $216 million. The proceeds will go to victims and survivors and their lawyers. Those with claims against the brothers won't receive all they're seeking but the Brothers have revealed they've already paid a staggering $480 million in abuse settlements since 1980. GUEST:Professor DARRYL HIGGINS is director of the Institute for Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University.

We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures.But Ethiopia's a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That's the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She's been living in Ethiopia's Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that's helped half a million women. Valerie's back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work. Guest:Valerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital.  

As Pauline Hanson's appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.  India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji's legacy?  We have an image of Ethiopia as a harsh, even forsaken place, of famine and a landscape literally cracked by rising global temperatures. But Ethiopia's a country of resilient, resourceful people, who could thrive, if only world powers stopped meddling. That's the message of Australian aid worker VALERIE BROWNING. She's been living in Ethiopia's Afar region for 53 years, running an extraordinary organisation that's helped half a million women. She's back in Australia to visit family and publicise the work of the Barbara May Foundation that helps fund her work. Guests:Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation. Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, KingValerie Browning is a nurse and author of "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads in Africa”. She founded the the Afar Pastoral Development Association and the Barbara May Hospital.  

As Pauline Hanson's appeal seemingly grows by the week, at least according to opinion polls, how is she building a coalition that might not deliver her government but could make One Nation the second biggest party in the next parliament? Senator Hanson has never been an explicitly religious politician but there is small but important religious constituency that she is trying to woo.  The Australian religious right.GUEST:Dr Benjamin Moffitt is a political scientist at Monash University and has been charting the progress of One Nation. 

India is in the midst of statue-building frenzy, with monuments springing up all over the country to the 17th century Hindu leader known as Shivaji. The warrior king has become a symbol – yes, another – of the rising power of Hindu nationalism, given his history of fighting the Mughal empire. But are his most ardent fans misreading Shivaji's legacy?  GUEST:Anupreeta Das is South Asia correspondent for The New York Times who has been following the Shivaji trend. She's also author of Billionaire, Nerd, Saviour, King

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government's plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. They fear up to 30 per cent of their income could disappear.If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you'll almost certainly hear his favourite song – the high-camp late 70's hit by the Village People, “YMCA”. And you'll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It's the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”. Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style.  On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia's newest cathedral. The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense. But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics.GUESTS:Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency. Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay cathedral.

Churches and charities are warning that the federal government's plan to increase taxes on discretionary trusts could cost the welfare and community sector billions of dollars in donations. Christian and Muslim leaders have asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers to reconsider.Mark Fowler has been following the story.GUEST:Mark Fowler is a charity lawyer and advisory committee member for the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission, a commonwealth agency. 

If you attend a Donald Trump rally in the United States, you'll increasingly hear another song that, strictly speaking, has nothing to do with politics. It's the evangelical anthem, “How Great is Our God”. Now, some evangelical leaders fear the MAGA movement has hijacked their music, even their worship style. GUEST:Professor Leah Payne of the Portland Seminary is the author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You.

On the northern fringe of Sydney, among gum trees and very loud native bird song, the Catholic Church plans to build Australia's newest cathedral. The proposal by the Diocese of Broken Bay has attracted criticism for its expense. But the church hopes the stunning new design, which captures the essence of the nearby bushland, will convince the critics.GUEST:Niall McLaughlin is the architect on the planned Broken Bay Catholic cathedral.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who've returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that's found refuge in Australia. Extremism expert Professor JOSH ROOSE of Deakin University has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.Pope Leo's encyclical on the dangers of artificial intelligence includes a red light about the role technology plays in the sexual trafficking of women and children. The International Justice Mission is a faith-based organisation that fights modern slavery. It's one of several human rights groups meeting in the Vatican this week. BRIONY CAMP is the head of campaigns for IJM Australia.As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026.  JOYCE AJLOUNY is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

One of the so-called ISIS brides appeared in a Melbourne court this week, charged with terrorism related offences. Rayann El Houli is one of six women linked to ISIS, who've returned from Syria in the past fortnight. Most have children who were born in Syria and were living in harsh conditions. But their return is confronting for one religious minority that's found refuge in Australia.Extremism expert Dr Josh Roose has been exploring the dilemma the ISIS brides pose for Australia.GUEST:Dr Josh Roose is a political sociologist and Associate Professor of Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University.

As wars continue in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, voices for peace still try to break through the pessimism. One of the most prominent is the Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers. They famously won a Nobel Peace Prize after World War II. But how realistic is their vision in 2026? GUEST:Joyce Ajlouny is general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker agency. She was in Australia recently.

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. But medical staff aren't just battling a virus. They're fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response.GUEST:Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRCRev Gordon on YouTube with an update 27/05

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. He's used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity. GUEST:Dr Victoria Lorrimar heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia

The deadly Ebola virus spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo is now outpacing the ability of health workers to respond, according to the World Health Organisation. But medical staff aren't just battling a virus. They're fighting scepticism among some communities about whether the disease is real, and the role of traditional burial practices in helping to spread Ebola. The Anglican Bishop of Goma in the DRC, MARTIN GORDON, is overseeing a major church response.In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. He's used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity.  Dr VICTORIA LORRIMAR heads the Centre for Technology and Human Futures at Notre Dame University Australia, while Professor BETH SINGLER from the University of Zurich is author of Religion and Artificial Intelligence.GUESTS: Rev Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Diocese of Goma, DRCA/Prof Victoria Lorrimar, Director, Centre for Technology and Human Future at the Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre DameProf. Dr Beth Singler, Assistant Professor in Digital Religion(s), Co-Director, University Research Priority Programme in Digital Religion(s), University of Zurich

In a powerful warning about the dangers and delusions of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo has taken on the self-styled gods of the 21st century. He's used his first encyclical to argue that whatever good AI might bring, it should never be controlled by a tiny group of ultra-wealthy tech titans. His 43,000-word encyclical is called Magnificent Humanity. GUEST:Professor Beth Singler from the University of Zurich is author of Religion and Artificial Intelligence.

Dr Peter John Hollingworth was an Australian bishop who served as Governor-General of Australia from 2001 until his resignation in 2003, resigned, in the wake of controversy over his role in handling sex abuse allegations in the Anglican Church. He had previously held the position of Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane from 1989 to 2001.An Anglican church inquiry found Dr Hollingworth failed to remove late paedophile priests Donald Shearman and John Elliot from the ministry, despite knowing they had sexually assaulted children.He died in Melbourne on Tuesday, aged 91.Noel Debien joins ABC TV to explain the impact and significance of a cleric's appointment to Governor General.Noel Debien is a religion expert and editor of Radio National's Religion and Ethics Unit

After two weeks of hearings at the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australians have a clear picture of a Jewish community experiencing harassment and violence – in the classroom, the campus, the streets, even some workplaces. The commission also heard different opinions on what antisemitism is -- and what's political protest.GUEST:Professor DAVID SLUCKI is director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. He's been following the hearings.  Part 3. After the StormPolice in the US city of San Diego are treating as a hate crime an attack on a local mosque, in which two teenage boys killed three people then took their own lives. Without the heroic actions of a security guard, they say the attack could have been even worse. San Diego echoes an immense tragedy that took place 7 years ago, much closer to home. An Australian gunman slaughtered 51 Muslims at peaceful prayer at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. This week is the third and final part of our series, After the Storm: How faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, which you can find in podcast at ABC Listen. We recall the Christchurch tragedy with a man who survived but bearing a terrible loss. GUEST:FARID AHMED is the author of Husna's Story: My wife, the Christchurch Massacre and My Journey to Forgiveness.The full episodes of AFTER THE STORM:AFTER THE STORM: The aftermath of the Christchurch mosque massacreAFTER THE STORM: Beyond the horror at the Tree of LifeAFTER THE STORM: Healing after terror

After two weeks of hearings at the  Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, Australians have a clear picture of a Jewish community experiencing harassment and violence – in the classroom, the campus, the streets, even some workplaces. The commission also heard different opinions on what antisemitism is -- and what's political protest.GUEST:Professor David Slucki is director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. He's been following the hearings.  

On the 15th of March 2019, Farid Ahmed and his beloved wife Husna travelled to the Deans Avenue Mosque in Christchurch for Friday prayer. As they parted to pray in their different sections, Farid couldn't know it would be the last time he saw Husna alive.And he couldn't know about her bravery that ultimately cost her life.Husna Ahmed was one of 51 Muslim worshippers murdered that night. Their assailant was an Australian. Farid's response tells a powerful story about his own resilience and his faith.This is part two of a special Religion and Ethics Report series on how faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, as Australia grapples with the aftermath of its own devastating attack at Bondi.GUEST:Farid Ahmed is the author of Husna's Story: My wife, the Christchurch Massacre and My Journey to Forgiveness. 

The most popular, and understandable, image of the far right today usually involves people dressed in black, shouting Nazi slogans or erupting into violence at football matches across Europe. But new research suggests many youths drawn to the extremes are looking for something more basic – a sense of belonging. Some have co-opted very traditional religion, while others try to make a religion out of their political ideology. GUEST:Dr Agnieszka Pasieka of University of Montreal wrote about the “Dreams of the Far Right” for Aeon magazine. She's also the author of Living Right: Far-Right Youth Activists in Contemporary Europe. 

New research suggests many far right youths drawn to the extremes are looking for something more basic – a sense of belonging. Some have co-opted very traditional religion, while others try to make a religion out of their political ideology. GUESTS:Dr Agnieszka Pasieka of University of Montreal wrote about the “Dreams of the Far Right” for Aeon magazine. She's also the author of Living Right: Far-Right Youth Activists in Contemporary Europe. 

In 2018, a gunman walked into in a synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh.He killed 11 worshippers in one of America's worst antisemitic attacks. As you'll hear, deep in their Jewish faith and traditions, somehow the survivors of Squirrel Hill found ways to rebuild.This episode takes you to Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018. This is the second episode in our three-part series After the Storm: How faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack. GUEST:Mark Oppenheimer is the author of Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Shooting and the Soul of a Neighbourhood and teaches in the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, at Washington University in St. Louis.

In a move that defies the stereotype of American mega-churches, the pastor of 24,000-strong Methodist parish in Kansas has announced he's running as Democrat for the US Senate in November. Adam Hamilton is also a best-selling author and podcaster. Hamilton joins a growing chorus of Christian ministers who are reclaiming faith from pro-Trump forces. But he's careful to stress, he's no liberal. GUEST:Kathryn Post from the Religion News Service is following this historic race.

In a move that defies the stereotype of American mega-churches, the pastor of 24,000-strong Methodist parish in Kansas has announced he's running as Democrat for the US Senate in November. Adam Hamilton is also a best-selling author and podcaster. Hamilton joins a growing chorus of Christian ministers who are reclaiming faith from pro-Trump forces. But he's careful to stress, he's no liberal. Kathryn Post, a journalist from the Religion News Service is following this historic race.As the Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion begins public hearings, we begin a three-part series on how three faith communities – Christian, Jewish, and Muslim – responded to mass violence inflicted on them. The gunmen inspired by the Islamic State group who opened fire on the Jewish Channukah festival in Bondi Beach last December brought religious violence to Australia at an unprecedented scale. But as those who've suffered similar tragedy shows, it is possible to rebuild. Our series, After the Storm, has already begun as a podcast on ABC Listen. But we're bringing part of those stories to air. This week, author Kevin Sack looks at the 2015 tragedy at the Mother Emmanuel Church, an historic Black congregation in South Carolina. Kevin spent a decade working on his landmark book, Mother Emanuel: Two Centuries of Race, Resistance and Forgiveness in One Charleston Church.And you can hear the full length podcast of the Kevin Sack interview here

When a white supremacist gunman opened fire during a Bible study at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, nine worshippers, including their charismatic pastor, were murdered at a bible class in a racist attack.Writer Kevin Sack spent a decade documenting what happened at Mother Emanuel, tracing not only the events of June 17, 2015, but the deeper history of race, resistance, and forgiveness that shaped the community's response.In this episode, you'll hear the story of how that church endured and what its response can teach others confronting religious violence today. This is part one of a special Religion and Ethics Report series on how faith and friendship helped three religious communities overcome violent attack, as Australia grapples with the aftermath of its own devastating attack at Bondi.

The defeat of Viktor Orban's nationalist government in Hungary is causing ripples from the heart of Europe all the way to the Middle East. Orban was a key ally of another nationalist, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, protecting his government from censure and sanction in the European Union. Hungary's new prime minister Peter Magyar is unlikely to be as friendly. GUEST:Dr Shahar Burla is a contributing editor at The Jewish Independent. 

The defeat of Viktor Orban's nationalist government in Hungary is causing ripples from the heart of Europe all the way to the Middle East. Orban was a key ally of another nationalist, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, protecting his government from censure and sanction in the European Union. Hungary's new prime minister Peter Magyar is unlikely to be as friendly.  A year ago, more than a hundred cardinals were deep in conversation, even a little conspiracy. They'd just buried their beloved Pope Francis. Now they had to choose a successor to lead 1.4 billion Catholics. But forces outside the church were also trying to shape the result of the conclave. In a new book, The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, we learn about some the extraordinary planning … and plotting.  Guests:Dr Shahar Burla is a contributing editor at The Jewish Independent. Authors and veteran Vatican reporters Gerard O'Connell and Elisabetta Pique  

A year ago, more than a hundred cardinals were deep in conversation, even a little conspiratorial. They'd just buried their beloved Pope Francis. Now they had to choose a successor to lead 1.4 billion Catholics. But forces outside the church were also trying to shape the result of the conclave. In a new book, The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, we learn about some the extraordinary planning … and plotting. GUESTS:Co-Authors and veteran Vatican reporters Gerard O'Connell and Elisabetta Pique