The World Needs a Cold Warrior Pope

The next Pope must reject such ambiguity and instead follow the example of Pope John Paul II’s confrontational approach to the Soviet Union. Like the USSR, the CCP’s ideology, rooted in atheistic materialism, is fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel’s affirmation of human dignity and freedom. By speaking out against China’s abuses, like its genocide in Xinjiang and persecution of Christians and other believers, the next Pope must rally global opinion, just as JPII’s defiance inspired anti-communist movements. This is not a matter of political partisanship, but of defending universal truths that the Church is uniquely called to proclaim. The papacy’s global platform, amplified by its moral authority, can shine a light on the CCP’s crimes and mobilize civil society to demand accountability.