Pope Leo XIV just referred to Pope Francis as having “entered heaven.” That’s not how the Catholic Church has ever spoken about a deceased pontiff. Tradition demands prayer for the dead — not presumptive sainthood without formal canonization.

This episode of Faith and Reason investigates the growing controversy. The hosts argue that Leo’s language signals a dangerous departure from established doctrine — and they trace it back to Francis’s own influence. Accounts suggest Francis considered Leo a “saint” before he even became pope and played a major role in his rapid rise through Church ranks.

The picture is clear: the Church is facing a deep internal crisis over doctrine, identity, and its relationship with the modern world.

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April 22, 2026