Muditha Dias

In this special bonus episode of God Forbid, Noel Debien sits down with Dr Paul Collins, former Catholic priest, broadcaster, author of many books on the Catholicism and Pope, including his most recent work - Absolute Power: How the Pope became the most influential man in the world. Together Noel and Paul discuss the legacy of Pope Francis and the complex history of the Papacy.

Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of eighty-eight, leaving behind, what many argue is, a transformative legacy. Over his papacy, he appointed 108 of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave, which is set to begin next week. As the Sistine Chapel closes its doors to the public, preparations are underway for a secret process that will determine the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

What does the overthrow of Syria's brutal Assad regime mean for religious minorities? Can Palestinians and Jews find a way through today's deepening divisions over the Israel-Gaza war? And the multiculturalism of Australia's Christianity today.