Analysis

Papal pause comes at worst time for Dutton

Anthony Albanese, who has re-embraced his Catholic faith in recent years, has been ahead of the opposition leader in responding to Pope Francis’ death.

Andrew Tillett and Michael Read

Apr 22, 2025 – 12.48pm

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For those on the left of politics like Anthony Albanese, Pope Francis made Catholicism cool again, with his focus on issues such as helping the poor, advocacy for refugees and environmental protection, and a less hostile attitude towards gays and lesbians.

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Andrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery.

Michael Read is the Financial Review's economics correspondent, reporting from the federal press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously an economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and at UBS.