Pope Leo Has Mentioned War 50 Times. Abortion and Gay Marriage? Just Once.

Also: A Revealing Talk with Kamala Harris’s Former Strategist Mike Nellis on Faith, Politics, and Catholic Identity in 2024 — And What Comes Next

Christopher Hale

and

Mike Nellis

Aug 04, 2025

Transcript

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Dear friends,

Happy Monday and Feast of St. John Vianney to all the parish priests who have formed our families in the highest ideals of our faith!

As I covered for you this past week, Pope Leo has had a packed schedule at the Jubilee for Youth — including his spontaneous remarks after Tuesday’s opening Mass, his passionate appeal for peace and justice Saturday night, and, finally, today’s celebration of the closing Mass.

This morning, I’m releasing my conversation from last week with Mike Nellis, the famed Democratic strategist and former advisor to Kamala Harris, on being Catholic in today’s Democratic Party.

We also discuss the latest in the Epstein scandal and the monstrosity in Florida known as Alligator Alcatraz.

Thank you to

, and 1500 others for tuning into my first-ever Substack live video with

Mike Nellis

(I’ve since bought a slightly better camera— so next time I won’t look like I’m filming a hostage video in a bunker in Afghanistan circa 2002.)

Why do you think Pope Leo isn’t talking about abortion and gay marriage?

It’s been 87 days since Pope Leo XIV was elected. In that time, he’s spoken more than 50 times about ending war, eliminating poverty, and supporting immigrants.

He’s mentioned abortion and same-sex marriage just once.

Of course, the Church and the pope oppose both. But the emphasis is different—and that’s worth examining.

Why do you think Pope Leo isn’t talking about these topics more often?

Share your thoughts in the comments below — I’ll feature a few of your reflections in an upcoming essay.

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