36/100 Credibility – The Ben Shapiro Show and Vatican Politics – April 22, 2025
The Ben Shapiro Show is a daily conservative podcast produced by The Daily Wire, known for its fast-paced delivery, pointed commentary, and focus on U.S. politics, culture, and global affairs. Hosted by political commentator and author Ben Shapiro, the show targets a right-leaning audience and frequently critiques liberal ideologies and mainstream media narratives.
This episode, aired on April 22, 2025, does not feature a guest and is hosted solely by Shapiro. The episode was recorded shortly after the reported death of Pope Francis and begins with commentary on the media coverage surrounding his passing and legacy. Shapiro also touches on related topics such as immigration, Catholic tradition, and political symbolism.
The main themes include a critique of left-wing media portrayals of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s direction, and broader concerns about U.S. foreign policy, trade, economic volatility, and the Trump administration’s approach to global conflicts and institutional reform. The episode intertwines theological, geopolitical, and economic narratives with Shapiro’s trademark ideological framing.
Claim Count Summary:
- Total factual claims: 93
- False: 14
- Misleading: 24
- Unverifiable: 13
- Verified factual: 42
False claims
Claim: “The Vatican has already announced the conclave will begin tomorrow.”
Timestamp: 00:05
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Early in the episode, Shapiro claims the Vatican has scheduled the conclave to begin the day after the Pope’s reported death.
Analysis: No such announcement had been made at the time of broadcast. Vatican protocol mandates a nine-day mourning period (novemdiales) before the conclave may begin. The Vatican had not confirmed the Pope's death or initiated conclave procedures.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-2025-04-22
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-death-conclave-procedures.html
Claim: “The Pope's death has caused global markets to crash.”
Timestamp: 00:20
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro links a sharp market drop to Pope Francis’s passing, framing it as evidence of his global influence.
Analysis: At the time of the episode, financial reports attributed market volatility to trade tensions, inflation fears, and currency fluctuations—not Vatican news. There is no market data linking a crash to the Pope's reported death.
https://www.wsj.com/market-data
https://www.bloomberg.com/markets
Claim: “Pope Francis abolished the Latin Mass.”
Timestamp: 00:35
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Offered during a critique of Francis’s leadership and theological direction.
Analysis: Francis restricted the Latin Mass via the 2021 Traditionis Custodes, but he did not abolish it. The Tridentine Mass remains permitted under specific conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/europe/pope-francis-latin-mass.html
Claim: “Pope Francis endorsed same-sex marriage.”
Timestamp: 00:45
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Used to portray Francis as ideologically left of previous popes.
Analysis: Pope Francis has voiced support for civil unions for same-sex couples, but he reaffirmed Catholic opposition to same-sex marriage as a sacrament.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pope-francis-civil-unions-idUSKBN2752Q7
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246694/pope-francis-backs-civil-unions-not-same-sex-marriage
Claim: “The Pope’s legacy was anti-capitalist to the core.”
Timestamp: 05:30
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro frames the Pope’s economic teaching as hostile to markets.
Analysis: While Francis critiqued wealth inequality and unregulated markets, he did not advocate anti-capitalism. His language aligns with long-standing Catholic social teaching emphasizing ethics in economic structures.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/world/americas/pope-francis-us-visit.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-and-capitalism-what-he-really-said-1429829584
Claim: “Francis let the CCP choose bishops in China.”
Timestamp: 06:45
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Describing the Vatican’s diplomatic strategy in China.
Analysis: A 2018 agreement allows Chinese authorities to nominate bishops, but the Pope retains veto and final approval. The CCP does not have autonomous control over appointments.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45628972
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/world/asia/vatican-china-bishops.html
Claim: “The Catholic Church is now leaderless and in chaos.”
Timestamp: 07:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Stated in reaction to the Pope’s reported death.
Analysis: The Church has established sede vacante procedures. The College of Cardinals assumes governance until a new Pope is elected. There is no reported institutional breakdown.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/251842/the-vatican-after-pope-francis-what-happens-next
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1H.HTM
Claim: “Markets have crashed 4 of 11 times due to Trump tariffs.”
Timestamp: 15:50
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Stated while critiquing Trump’s trade war.
Analysis: There is no verified data attributing four of the 11 worst Dow drops to tariffs. Market declines during that period had varied and complex causes.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/markets-respond-trump-tariffs-analysis-2018-08-14/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stock-market-volatility-analysis
Claim: “Jerome Powell lowered rates before 2020 to help Biden.”
Timestamp: 20:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Offered as part of a broader argument about monetary manipulation.
Analysis: The Fed lowered interest rates in 2019 due to global economic uncertainty and slowing U.S. growth. There is no evidence this was done to aid Biden politically.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20190731a.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/business/economy/federal-reserve-rate-cut.html
Claim: “The Trump trade war failed to move any production out of China.”
Timestamp: 17:45
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Framed as proof of failed economic policy.
Analysis: While some companies retained operations in China, many—such as Apple suppliers and apparel manufacturers—began relocating supply chains to Vietnam, India, and elsewhere.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trade-war-supply-chain-shifts
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-manufacturing-idUSKCN1VK16N
To request the full list of reviewed false claims or inquire about fact-checking your podcast, contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
Misleading claims
Claim: “The media only liked Pope Francis because he was politically leftist.”
Timestamp: 01:40
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro argues that Pope Francis received favorable coverage solely due to alignment with progressive politics.
Analysis: While Francis’s views on poverty, migration, and climate change aligned with many liberal positions, media praise also centered on his pastoral style and global diplomacy. The claim omits broader reasons for media interest.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/27/opinion/sunday/pope-francis.html
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/21/948683425/pope-francis-2020-the-popes-year-in-review
Claim: “Young Americans are flocking to traditional Catholicism.”
Timestamp: 03:05
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro suggests a national trend toward Latin Mass and conservative theology among younger Catholics.
Analysis: While interest in Latin Mass has grown in some circles, national surveys do not support a broad resurgence. Most young Catholics remain unaffiliated or prefer modernized practices.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/09/28/faith-among-young-americans/
https://www.ncronline.org/news/survey-latin-mass-attendees-young-conservative
Claim: “The Pope's stance on Gaza lacked moral clarity.”
Timestamp: 05:20
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro critiques Pope Francis for not clearly condemning Hamas or praising Israel.
Analysis: Francis has called for peace and condemned violence by all parties, including Hamas. His neutrality aligns with the Vatican’s long-standing diplomatic policy. The framing oversimplifies this approach.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-appeal-gaza-israel-prayer.html
Claim: “The Vatican allowed the CCP to control Church governance in China.”
Timestamp: 06:50
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Criticism of the Vatican-China bishop appointment agreement.
Analysis: The agreement is controversial and does involve CCP input on bishops. However, it does not represent control over church governance broadly. The claim generalizes beyond the agreement’s scope.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/world/asia/vatican-china-bishops.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45572306
Claim: “Markets are crashing purely due to tariffs.”
Timestamp: 15:55
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Statement made during a segment criticizing Trump’s trade war.
Analysis: Markets are influenced by multiple factors including inflation, geopolitical risk, and monetary policy. Tariffs may contribute to volatility, but they are not sole drivers.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/30/what-causes-stock-market-volatility.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/tariffs-fed-rates-and-market-response
Claim: “Tariff policy should have included preconditions like rare earth resourcing.”
Timestamp: 17:40
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Criticizing the Trump administration for launching tariffs without preparation.
Analysis: While better planning is generally advisable, the claim assumes that rare earth diversification was a realistic short-term goal. It exaggerates logistical feasibility within a single term.
https://www.brookings.edu/research/rare-earths-and-us-strategy/
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-strategy-critical-minerals
Claim: “The economy is tanking under Trump because of trade wars.”
Timestamp: 16:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Presented during economic commentary.
Analysis: Multiple economic indicators showed volatility, but GDP growth, employment, and investment were mixed. The claim overlooks positive economic signals and misattributes causality.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDP
https://www.bea.gov/news/2024/gross-domestic-product-fourth-quarter-2024-and-year
Claim: “If markets drop, the economy crashes shortly after.”
Timestamp: 28:55
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Stated as a hard rule to explain stock volatility.
Analysis: Markets can signal downturns but are not reliable predictors. Many periods of market decline did not immediately lead to economic contraction.
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/102215/stock-market-vs-economy.asp
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/do-stock-markets-predict-recessions/
Claim: “Zelensky already gave the U.S. rare earth access.”
Timestamp: 44:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Describing Ukraine’s concessions in negotiations.
Analysis: Ukraine has signed cooperation agreements, but no formal binding trade deals on rare earths were confirmed as of the episode date. The claim overstates the status of those arrangements.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ukraine-critical-minerals-2023-11-15/
https://www.csis.org/ukraine-mineral-supply
Claim: “European militaries are taking over U.S. security obligations.”
Timestamp: 47:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Stated while discussing Nordic defense trends.
Analysis: European military investment has risen, but NATO still relies heavily on U.S. capabilities. The claim exaggerates the degree of independence from American power.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/12/20/nordic-nato-spending-boosts/
To request the full list of reviewed misleading claims or inquire about fact-checking your podcast, contact us at info@trustmypod.org.
Unverifiable claims
Claim: “The media were united in framing Pope Francis as anti-Trump.”
Timestamp: 01:00
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Asserted while discussing perceived media bias in coverage of the Pope.
Analysis: Media sentiment varies across outlets. No public database or content analysis confirms a united framing explicitly tying Francis’s importance to Trump opposition.
Sources:
[Flagged: No aggregate study or survey found]
[Flagged: No direct editorial trend verifiable across all outlets]
Claim: “The left was puzzled by JD Vance meeting with the Pope.”
Timestamp: 04:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Shapiro suggests it was ideologically inconsistent for left-leaning media to report on Vance’s visit without criticism.
Analysis: The claim relies on conjecture about editorial intention. No evidence confirms widespread left-leaning confusion or objection to the meeting.
Sources:
[Flagged: No editorials or think pieces found expressing confusion]
[Flagged: No polling or aggregated reaction data]
Claim: “The media ignore Pope Francis's views on abortion and marriage.”
Timestamp: 01:50
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Claimed to argue media selectively praise Francis’s liberal stances.
Analysis: No comprehensive study exists quantifying omission rates in major media. Individual articles have cited both liberal and conservative papal positions.
Sources:
[Flagged: No consistent omission pattern verifiable across sources]
[Flagged: Anecdotal examples insufficient for broad conclusion]
Claim: “Pope Francis gave the CCP influence over catechism and doctrine in China.”
Timestamp: 06:55
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Part of a critique on Vatican diplomacy.
Analysis: The Vatican-China agreement concerns episcopal nominations only. There is no verifiable evidence the CCP influences doctrinal teaching or catechism.
Sources:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-10/renewal-provisional-agreement-holy-see-china-bishops.html
[Flagged: No documentation of doctrinal negotiation]
Claim: “The Pope posed baby Jesus as a Palestinian in a nativity display.”
Timestamp: 05:35
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Cited as symbolic evidence of political bias.
Analysis: No record of Vatican nativity scenes depicting Jesus as specifically Palestinian. The claim may refer to past Middle East-themed displays, but lacks clear attribution.
Sources:
[Flagged: No image or description matches this claim]
[Flagged: Vatican has used varied themes but none explicitly label Jesus as Palestinian]
Claim: “The Pope should have condemned Hamas by name but didn’t.”
Timestamp: 05:25
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Expressed disappointment with Francis’s statements on Gaza.
Analysis: The Vatican uses diplomatic language in conflicts. While some papal statements condemn terror broadly, naming specific actors like Hamas is inconsistent. There is no authoritative list of named condemnations to verify frequency.
Sources:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-10/pope-francis-prayer-peace-israel-palestine.html
[Flagged: No registry of named groups]
Claim: “Harvard’s GDP is larger than that of many nations.”
Timestamp: 36:15
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Commenting on Harvard's financial power.
Analysis: Harvard’s endowment is vast, but “GDP” is an economic term inapplicable to institutions. While comparisons to national GDPs are metaphorically common, no verified economic study supports this equivalency.
Sources:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-20/harvard-endowment-report
[Flagged: GDP comparisons with nations are illustrative, not official]
Claim: “The CCP hates religion and God.”
Timestamp: 07:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Stated during critique of China-Vatican relations.
Analysis: The CCP’s stance on religion is complex. It promotes state-sanctioned religious groups and restricts others. No official doctrine states “hatred” of religion.
Sources:
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/religion-and-authoritarianism-in-china/
https://www.uscirf.gov/reports-briefs/reports/china
Claim: “The Pope said nothing morally clear about Ukraine.”
Timestamp: 05:45
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Criticizing Francis’s diplomatic neutrality.
Analysis: Francis has repeatedly called Russian aggression “inhuman” and urged peace. Whether this is “morally clear” is a subjective judgment. The phrase cannot be fact-checked conclusively.
Sources:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-war-ukraine-humanitarian-hall.html
[Flagged: Moral clarity is interpretive, not empirical]
Claim: “Zelensky gave the U.S. access to all rare earth minerals.”
Timestamp: 44:10
Speaker: Ben Shapiro
Context: Referencing ongoing resource cooperation.
Analysis: Agreements have been signed for strategic minerals collaboration, but “access to all” is overly broad and unverifiable. Details of deals are confidential or in negotiation.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ukraine-critical-minerals-2023-11-15/
[Flagged: No public contract with full access terms]
To request the full list of reviewed unverifiable claims or inquire about fact-checking your podcast, contact info@trustmypod.org.
Conclusion
This episode of The Ben Shapiro Show focused on the reported death of Pope Francis, Vatican politics, Catholic theology, immigration, global markets, and U.S. foreign policy. Shapiro framed most issues through a lens of ideological critique—particularly targeting left-wing media, Vatican diplomacy, and elements of the Trump administration’s economic record. His commentary was densely packed with factual assertions and rhetorical claims.
A total of 93 factual assertions were identified. Of these, 14 were rated False, 24 Misleading, and 13 Unverifiable, while 42 were rated Verified factual. Many falsehoods centered on mischaracterizations of Pope Francis’s theology, Catholic Church protocols, economic trends, and international diplomacy. Misleading claims often arose from oversimplifications or selective framing, especially regarding trade policy, military strategy, and media bias. Unverifiable claims frequently involved speculative interpretations of institutional motives or exaggerated portrayals of agreements not yet public.
Shapiro’s tone was consistently adversarial and polemical. He often employed sarcasm and absolutist framing (“they don’t believe in moral clarity,” “the left celebrates only activist popes”) that undermined factual nuance. Though this rhetorical style is typical for ideological commentary formats, it reduces the episode’s informational reliability. Several serious assertions—such as the timing of the papal conclave or rare earth mineral agreements—were stated with confidence but lacked confirmation or conflicted with available facts.
The episode did offer accurate context on Vatican-China diplomacy, papal influence on global politics, and the structure of Catholic liturgical debates. Nonetheless, factual distortions outnumbered balanced clarifications. The aggressive rhetoric and ideological certainty discouraged critical evaluation by listeners, lowering the episode’s overall reliability.
CREDIBILITY SCORE: 36/100 TRUSTWORTHY