[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Eleganti: Meetings with leftist celebrities are degrading the papacyLifeSite News ^ | August 11, 2026 | Bishop Marian ElegantiPosted on by ebb tide[Catholic Caucus] Bishop Eleganti: Meetings with leftist celebrities are degrading the papacyPope Leo XIV's 40-minute audience with the 'Godmother of Punk' reflects a troubling pattern of popes courting cultural elites while doctrinal clarity fades, Bishop Marian Eleganti warns. For Pope Francis, this approach – of hinting at things while remaining reserved on doctrinal matters – had almost become a method. Do they have enough time to read, study documents, and prepare statements in which they truly teach – teach authoritatively and unambiguously – rather than offering speculations that are of no use to us? Pope Francis demonstrated this particularly toward traditionalists and members of the Mafia, or in the context of migration. St. Pope John Paul II – perhaps unwillingly – gave his public appearances as pope the character of a superstar, especially through World Youth Days.