Keaton from Green Bay, WI—home of cheese, Packers, and good questions—called into The Patrick Madrid Show with a real-world dilemma. His friends were treating the upcoming papal election like a political race, hoping for a pope who would push certain agendas. Keaton wanted to respond without sounding rude but knew he couldn’t stay silent, either.

Patrick answered bluntly, “I don’t really care what kind of Pope you want. I care about what kind of Pope God wants.”

Patrick reminded everyone that the Pope isn’t meant to be a political figure like a president. His role is to protect and advance the Gospel, not to shift the Church according to trends or ideologies. Our job is to pray—faithfully and humbly—for whoever is chosen.

To help Keaton handle tough conversations gracefully, Patrick recommended the book Tactics by Greg Koukl. It teaches the Socratic Method: asking thoughtful questions to steer conversations without confrontation. It’s about planting seeds, not winning arguments.

When discussions about the Church get political, don’t get dragged into the fray. Stay prayerful, stay respectful, and focus on God’s will—not the world’s. And with a little wisdom and a few good questions, you might just change hearts too.

Stay tuned to Relevant Radio and the Relevant Radio App for continued coverage and reflections on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. For more information on the conclave, sign up here to receive updates.