ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a review of the theological and historical context of Catholic engagement with politics, paying particular attention to the evolution of Catholic social teaching. It examines Vatican diplomacy and global initiatives, with emphasis on the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. The chapter discusses Catholic politics in different regions of the world. It examines issues that loom large on the horizon. The chapter explores Catholicism to provide a window into the broader and ever-dynamic relationship between religion and politics in the contemporary world. From its inception the Catholic Church has been enmeshed in worldly affairs. Popes raised armies, formed alliances, and anointed political rulers. The Catholic Church has experienced dramatic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, from a tiny presence in 1900 to over 170 million by 2010, or 16 per cent of the globe’s Catholic population.
