Pope Leo XIV's Obsession With Unity: What It Means for Catholics - Dr. John Huynh - 08/26/2026

Dr. John Huynh, Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins Bo Bonner for his monthly segment to explore why Pope Leo XIV keeps returning to the theme of unity — from his inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square to a recent address at the Communion and Liberation gathering. Dr. Huynh distinguishes unity from uniformity, explaining that the theological model for unity is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct persons who are perfectly one. Genuine communion, he argues, requires real difference — not sameness masquerading as peace. Dr. Huynh connects Pope Leo's teaching to Catholic social teaching on polarization, noting that division often reflects a wound in the human heart before it's a political problem: sin turns people inward, makes them quick to spot others' faults and blind to their own, and tempts believers to treat those who disagree with them as an "other" rather than a person made in God's image. He's careful to note this doesn't mean every position is equally true — but it does mean judging an idea is different from denying someone's dignity. Practically, Dr. Huynh recommends three habits for healing division at the personal level: recovering the art of face-to-face conversation instead of arguing online; deliberately maintaining friendships that cross political and social lines; and adopting a "hermeneutics of charity" — assuming the best in others — rather than a hermeneutics of suspicion. Learn more about the work of the Diocese of Des Moines' Office of Social Justice and find upcoming parish events at DMDiocese.org. Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com. #PopeLeoXIV #ChristianUnity #CatholicSocialTeaching #DioceseOfDesMoines #Polarization #Solidarity #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMorningShow #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.