Pope Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

5 Times a Pope Took On Powerful World Leaders

April 16th, 2026

Pope Leo XIV isn't the first pontiff to stare down a world leader. From a medieval emperor standing barefoot in the snow to Napoleon, here are five times the Vatican held its ground.

ULC Minister Training & Education 28 Comments

Is the Iran War Just? Pope Leo and the White House Disagree

April 16th, 2026

A pope calling for world peace is not typically front page news – until his message gets criticized by those at war. We unpack the conflict between pope and president and explore the tradition of just war theory.

Political & Religious Controversy 135 Comments

The Pope Just Met With Top Exorcists. Here's Why.

March 26th, 2026

Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with an exorcist group this month. They came with a warning and a request: the Church is facing a growing crisis of occult activity, and it needs more trained exorcists to respond.

Christian 87 Comments

Why Some Catholics Want Peter Thiel Burned at the Stake

March 18th, 2026

When Peter Thiel took his Antichrist lectures to Rome, he probably expected to ruffle a few Vatican feathers. He probably didn't anticpate the pope's AI adviser asking whether he should be burned at the stake.

Political & Religious Controversy 58 Comments

Vatican Declines Trump's Board of Peace Invite

February 19th, 2026

The Vatican just denied President Trump's invite to join his Board of Peace, citing concerns that the organization could undermine the United Nations. Is it a diplomatic snub, or a principled stand on global leadership?

Political & Religious Controversy 96 Comments

Pope Leo Wades Into Abortion Debate

October 2nd, 2025

Pope Leo ignited a firestorm of controversy with a recent statement questioning whether those who support the poor treatment of immigrants and the death penalty can truly be considered "pro-life".

Political & Religious Controversy 76 Comments

What Does the New Pope Believe?

May 19th, 2025

Pope Leo XIV steps out onto the world stage, but who is he, and what does he believe? From his views on the environment, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community, Leo is often - but not always - aligned with Pope Francis.

Christian 54 Comments

Should the President Pose as a Religious Leader?

May 5th, 2025

As cardinals at the Vatican ready for a conclave to select the next pope, Catholics around the world were shocked to see President Trump post an AI-generated image of himself as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Political & Religious Controversy 124 Comments

Who Are the Frontrunners to Be the Next Pope?

April 28th, 2025

With Pope Francis’ passing, the Catholic Church will soon be entering conclave to elect his successor. Will the next pope carry his progressive legacy—or chart a new course? These are some of the top contenders.

Christian 17 Comments

Report: Vatican Promoted Predator, Ignored Sex Abuse Claims

November 16th, 2020

A new report commissioned by Pope Francis documents the systemic failures within the Catholic Church that allowed Cardinal Theodore McCarrick to commit heinous sexual abuse while rising the ranks within his career.

Political & Religious Controversy 11 Comments

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