This episode was recorded in May 2025. We'll have Fr. Bruce back on the pod to discuss our new pope in the coming months! 

What makes a pope "Marxist"? Is challenging capitalism equivalent to embracing communism? Father Bruce Morrill, Jesuit priest and theological scholar, joins us for a fascinating exploration of Pope Francis's complex legacy and the radical vision that defined his papacy.

We begin with the surprising history of the Jesuits—known as the "Pope's Marines" and sometimes even associated with the devil in certain regions—and how this religious order's commitment to serving at the margins shaped Francis's worldview. Father Morrill illuminates Vatican II's transformative impact, explaining how this pivotal church council set the stage for liberation theology's emergence in Latin America amid military dictatorships and economic exploitation.

At the heart of our conversation is Pope Francis's critique of modern economics. While critics like Rush Limbaugh labeled him the "Marxist Pope," Francis's actual teachings reveal a more nuanced perspective. Rather than condemning capitalism by name, Francis focused on the consequences of what he called "an economy that kills"—a system that treats both people and the planet as disposable. His groundbreaking encyclicals Laudato Si' and Fratelli Tutti connected environmental degradation with social injustice and challenged fundamental assumptions about private property and the common good.

Father Morrill shares personal stories that illustrate how Pope Francis's teachings were received (and sometimes rejected) by American Catholics, revealing the tensions between papal teaching and cultural politics. For those seeking to understand how faith can inform responses to today's most pressing challenges—from climate change to economic inequality—this episode offers profound insights into a spiritual leader whose vision transcended traditional political categories.

What might it mean to hear "both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor"? Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of a pope who challenged us to reimagine our relationship with each other and with creation itself.

About Religion and Justice
Religion and Justice is a podcast from the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School. We explore the intersections of class, religion, labor, and ecology, uncovering how these forces shape the work of justice and solidarity. Each episode offers space for investigation, education, and organizing through conversations with scholars, organizers, and practitioners.

Learn more at religionandjustice.org

Follow us:
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/religionandjustice

Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/ReligionandJ

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/religionandjustice/