Catholics around the world have raised concerns about the content and atmosphere of last Wednesday’s General Audience by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square, especially regarding the playing of the “Imperial Theme” from Star Wars as the Pope arrived, as well as some of the people in attendance.

The IIT Staff cover the context, theories, and possible meanings of this papal audience in this video, including whether it sets a new tone for Pope Leo’s pontificate as he enters his 2nd year as Pope, what this might mean for the various camps in the Catholic world, as well as the broader geopolitical implications of some of what Pope Leo said and did in this general audience.

Is Pope Leo sending a message to Trump with the displays of what appear to be highly advanced weaponry in St. Peter’s Square?

Could the Vatican be less than two weeks away from nuclear weapons? Or something worse?

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