Rome

  • Trump’s spat is with a Pope in the making

    America has a bombastic President saying pretty much whatever sums up the thoughts of his voters as they too have to navigate a difficult world of politics that feels polarised at home and abroad. His comments on Pope Leo XIV and in connection to the Iran conflict harden a combative position that has come to define Trump in the White House for a second term.

    In no one’s playbook does it say Pope Leo is a leader for Trump’s presidency. The Pope has also taken on a type of communication that avoids condemnation of a specific person to reach out to Catholics in a divided media space. His ethic as a religious person has come up at the same time as American predominance. But he’s not seen as a secular American leader presiding in a Catholic way.

    Pope Leo and his close advisors in Vatican circles are aware of the precarious nature of any conflict with Iran, because of complexities in the region. They’ve got experience themselves and their churches are at the forefront of many conflict-related sufferings. He won’t support a war that harms his flock, and one they didn’t launch and he has no control over. He also knows such meddling across airwaves or even in private is corrupt activity, and practically a misdemeanour.

    So far Rome has avoided a negative controversy, finding its feet in a holistic world space. It can’t be blamed for world events and has comforted tired adherents by remaining at a safe distance from ongoing matters. This may foreshadow a calmer time for churchgoers as they continue to remain separate from the exposure of defence matters by the counsel of a peacemaker in chief.

  • Queen Camilla is a consummate performer

    The Royal visit to Rome brought out two aspects of the current Monarchy in full view.

    First, it shows a dominant King that knows his realm and understands the purposes of many international things.

    Second, it shows Queen Camilla is able to hold her own even in a slow, male-led environment.

    She looked the part as the Vatican loomed large over her. She took her place and held it as an English Queen should.

    It was a moment dedicated to friendship but also Royal ways. The Queen is a strong leader and advocate for a modern outreach.

  • A Royal visit to Rome is diplomacy

    The King and Queen’s visit to Rome next week marks another chapter in a developing story of the UK’s eased relationship with Catholics worldwide. We no longer accept the violence of the past and we want peaceful coexistence for all religions, not just Protestant and Catholic.

    Although much has been made of recent strides toward greater harmony, there’s still a striking difference between all faiths, and the creeds of those with none. This forms the bedrock of much contemporary debate about ourselves.

    The Monarchy has now long chosen a path toward greater engagement with everybody, and this has helped keep our heads above water. Although we don’t see eye to eye, at least the schisms aren’t the subject of the same activity as before. However local the hatred, ties still bind us.