Weekly Roundup: Leo Destroys Trump and Vance on Just War Theory + Pete's Pulp Fiction (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

What happens when a U.S. president publicly attacks the Pope—and tries to justify war using theology?

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad and Dan break down the escalating clash between Donald Trump and Pope Leo, and why it’s about much more than a political disagreement. From the Pope’s condemnation of violence to reactions from figures like JD Vance and Mike Johnson, this episode traces how religion, war, and power are colliding in real time.

We take a deep dive into just war theory—what it actually is, where it comes from, and why its misuse matters. Along the way, we analyze viral moments (yes, including the Pulp Fiction references), unpack the theological claims being made by political leaders, and examine how Christian nationalism reframes power as divine authority.

This isn’t just about one news cycle. It’s about a larger shift: Who gets to define Christianity in America? What happens when political leaders claim moral authority over religious ones? And why are some Christians being told to “stay out of politics” while politicians take over theology? 

⏱️ Timestamps 

• 00:00 Intro 
• 02:15 What sparked the Trump vs. Pope conflict 
• 08:40 What is Just War Theory? 
• 18:30 JD Vance, Mike Johnson, and the political response 
• 32:10 Christian nationalism and power 
• 45:20 The “Pulp Fiction” moment explained 
• 55:00 Why this matters going forward

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/GZvpN11fi7k?si=tGcaSRbnXbpTRAZ3

Hakeem Jeffries On Stripping Away Trump's War Powers (Find Out podcast on YouTube)

As Trump's illegal war with Iran rages on, causing the highest gas prices for the American consumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) joins us ahead of a very important vote tomorrow. 

The House will vote on the War Powers Resolution Bill aimed at curbing Trump's war powers. Jeffries and House Democrats are working tirelessly to secure a few more Republican votes, anticipating a very tight vote. 

We also spoke with the Minority Leader about Trump's AI Jesus photo and his latest attacks against Pope Leo. Jeffries also previews what Democrats plan for Trump if they win both the House and the Senate following the midterm elections.

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/3-q95UKMoZQ?si=qWv5kRAc7YecCOGb

Weekly Roundup: MAGA's Nuclear Brinksmanship: Is the Coalition Cracking? (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this week's episode, Brad Onishi navigates a high-stakes intersection of nuclear brinkmanship and theological crisis. 

The discussion centers on the fallout of Operation Epic against Iran, specifically Pete Hegseth's assertion that God deserves "all the glory" for the military strike. 

Brad deconstructs this "Fox News theology," forcing a confrontation with the classic problem of evil: if a victory is divine, how does one account for the collateral damage of a bombed girl's school? This moral tension coincides with a potential fracture in the MAGA coalition, as even staunch media allies like Joe Rogan and Alex Jones begin to voice public concern over Trump's threats to Iranian civilization and the looming specter of nuclear winter. 

The episode then shifts to an explosive diplomatic confrontation between the Pentagon and the Vatican. Guests Dr. Thomas Lecaque and Rebecca Bratten Weiss join the show to unpack a bombshell report detailing a meeting where Under Secretary Elbridge Colby allegedly pressured Cardinal Christopher Pierre to align with U.S. interests. By invoking the Avignon Papacy—a historical period where the papacy was essentially held captive by the French monarchy—the administration issued what Lecaque describes as a "mafia-style threat" to the Holy See. 

The panel explores the doomed fantasy of Catholic integralism and the burgeoning rift between those following the teachings of Jesus and those weaponizing faith for geopolitical dominance.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-magas-nuclear-brinksmanship-is-the-coalition-cracking?hsLang=en

Pope demands ‘collective punishment’ end in Gaza as 10 more die of hunger

"I beg for a permanent ceasefire to be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid to be facilitated and humanitarian law to be fully respected," Leo said. He referred to international law and its "prohibition of collective punishment, indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population".

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/27/ten-palestinians-have-died-from-starvation-in-last-24-hours-says-gaza-health-ministry

Pope Bob Vs. Trump World (Conspirituality podcast, episode #258)

The most annoying convert TradCath in the world, JD Vance, whose cherubic face belies all his bootlicking aggression, gets his moment with Pope Bob. Usha stands behind him in a black mantilla. He hands the pontiff an oversized envelope: an invitation from Donald and Melania to a White House dinner. Bob smiles guardedly as he takes it and without looking at it, setting it on his desk. “I’ll read that at some point,” Vance sputters, “of course, of course.”

The scene is set for the Church-State tension of whatever phase of global fascism we’re now entering. These ghouls who jail students, disappear immigrants, and lobby for the Trump Gaza resort, shuffle into the Vatican with hats in hand to meet a fellow American who is nothing like their boss, asking for pats on the head, wondering what kind of alliance they can forge, perhaps through anti-wokeness discourse.

The enigmatic response from Pope Bob sums up where we all are as we read the incense swirls for whether he’s going to keep steering the world’s 1.4B Catholics against the tides of late-stage capitalism and environmental protection, Francis-style.
Interview: 

https://www.conspirituality.net/episodes/258-pope-bob-vs-trump-world

Weekly roundup: An American Pope! + We’re Using the N-Word to Fundraise Now? (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad and Dan discuss the landmark election of the first American Pope, Leo XIV, highlighting his background, his critical stance on immigration, and his potential impact on American politics.

They also examine a troubling incident in Minnesota where a woman called a 5-year-old black child the N-word and subsequently raised significant funds through a Christian platform.

The conversation ties these issues into broader themes of white supremacy, conservative Christian victimhood, and the necessity of deeper education on purity culture and white Christian nationalism.
Interview: 

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/03/nx-s1-5382575/fresh-air-weekend-americas-pronatalist-movement-daria-burke-on-overcoming-trauma

Right Wing DARK MONEY Pours into CONCLAVE Begins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKW-0fIDHdw

The challenges facing the Catholic Church ahead of the papal conclave - The Washington Post

The U.S. church, meanwhile, faces a struggle for its soul — with MAGA Catholics, led by some radically conservative Catholic clerics, politicizing the faith…

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/03/conclave-pope-francis-vatican/ 

Opus Dei and the New Pope (Andrew Seidel; One Nation Indivisible, Episode #010)

In this episode of One Nation, Indivisible, Andrew Seidel speaks with Gareth Gore, author of a new book on Opus Dei, about the powerful intersection of religion and politics. They explore the controversial history of Opus Dei, its growing influence in Washington D.C., and its complicated relationship with Pope Francis. 

The conversation also examines the global implications of a future papal transition, what Opus Dei seeks in the next Pope, and the organization’s broader cultural and political ambitions. 

Plus, they discuss parallels with other religious movements and a major Supreme Court case over LGBTQ-inclusive books in public schools.

Interview: 

https://onenationindivisible.supercast.com/subscriber_v2/feed_items/465054

‘Maga Catholics’ are gaining ground in the US. Now their sight is set on the Vatican

Conservative US Catholics like Steve Bannon look to win 'war that lasts decades' with pope antithetical to Francis…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/28/maga-catholics-vatican-pope-conclave

 

Pope Francis: Both Candidates are ”Against Life” (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #549)

— Pope Francis pushes false claim that both presidential candidates are “against life.” (3:15)

— Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear courageously bans “conversion therapy” on minors. (14:08)

— Pastor claims he miraculously cured a man hospitalized due to voting for Democrats. (26:05)

— In Ohio, taxpayer dollars are being used to expand Christian schools. (36:56)

— South Carolina Supreme Court strikes down voucher scheme giving tax dollars to private schools. (47:40)

— Atheists to court: It’s okay to ban “faith statements” in taxpayer-funded Minnesota program. (55:31)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/09/19/pope-francis-both-candidates-are-against-life/

The Pope vs. Petowners (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #408)

-- Pope Francis says having pets instead of kids is selfish. (2:00)

-- A proposed law in Oklahoma would put the KJV and fundamentalist preachers in certain classrooms. (7:00)

-- Marriage is not about being happy, says one very misogynistic pastor. (22:15)

-- A 14-year-old girl was impregnated by her youth pastor. She's finally telling her side of the story. (30:42)

-- The phrase "unreligious cruelty" makes no sense, so why is a Washington Post columnist using it? (41:22)

-- What would you do in this moral dilemma? (46:27)

-- Should we feel bad about old churches dying out? (55:48)
Interview:

https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-2zh2k-120e1cb4

Pope Pius XII: Vatican records show he knew Nazis were killing Jews during Holocaust - The Washington Post

The long-awaited opening of Pope Pius XII’s wartime records lasted only a week before the coronavirus outbreak shut down the Vatican archives. But that was long enough for documents to emerge that reflect badly on the pontiff accused of silence during the Holocaust, according to published reports.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/04/29/vatican-pope-pius-records-holocaust/

Pope says priest celibacy not 'optional' - Raw Story

Pope Francis said Monday celibacy for priests was a "gift to the Church" and not "optional", nixing the prospect of married men being ordained. ....
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/pope-says-priest-celibacy-not-optional/