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June 2026 Edition: The Pope and Politics

Welcome to our Summer 2026 edition. Six months into the year, a lot has already unfolded across global politics and policy debates - this issue focuses on the developments that are shaping the months ahead across religion, geopolitics, resources, and security.

We begin with Pope Leo XIV, whose first year in office remained largely quiet until Donald Trump unexpectedly placed him at the centre of a wider political and cultural debate. We also reflect on his first encyclical on human dignity in a technological age and its implications for the relationship between ethics, technology, and society.

We then turn to Africa and Europe through the lens of resources and global positioning. Kenya’s Mrima Hill tender highlights Europe’s critical minerals ambitions and the governance challenges that come with them. In a video interview, Africa expert Jakkie Cilliers reflects on what Africa’s growing focus on stability, investment, and agency means in a rapidly shifting global order.

In Syria, Christian communities continue to navigate political transition under conditions of uncertainty and competing narratives, while Armenia’s recent elections point to a possible shift in foreign policy orientation toward Europe - though the trajectory remains open. In Europe, diverging security paths are also visible, as Sweden and Lithuania advance “total defence” reforms, while Germany is still working to develop a more integrated framework for resilience, mobilisation, and defence readiness.

From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we highlight reconciliation efforts around land disputes in our gallery section, showcasing our work on dialogue, trust-building, and local stability where ownership and peace remain closely linked.

We also feature Francesco Lapenta in our “Who is…?” section, where he reflects on emerging technologies and their implications for governance, diplomacy, and institutional decision-making.

We will be back in your inbox in August. Whether you are heading into summer or winter depending on where you are reading from, we hope you find a moment to pause, recharge, and return with fresh energy for what comes next.

AUDIO

Pope Leo's First Encyclical: A Commentary by Stephan von Kempis
Pope Leo’s first encyclical reflects on human dignity, the acceptance of human limitations, and the place of humanity in a rapidly changing technological world.

What does the Pope’s message mean for the relationship between human beings and technological progress? 
 

SHORT ARTICLE

One Year of Leo XIV: Who Is This Pope?

For a year, Pope Leo XIV has quietly led the Catholic Church from the Vatican - largely out of the global spotlight. That changed when Donald Trump unexpectedly thrust him into the center of a far bigger political and cultural debate.

POLITICAL ANALYSIS

Mrima Hill: European critical minerals strategy meets Kenyan mineral governance

Kenya’s Mrima Hill tender for rare-earths and niobium is drawing global attention - not only for its strategic resources, but for what it reveals about Europe’s critical minerals ambitions and the challenges of aligning investment, governance, and geopolitics in Africa.

Read it here!

SHORT ARTICLE

Syrian Christians and the Complexity of Power and Fear under the New Political System

As Syria undergoes political transition, debate over the future of its Christian communities intensifies, shaped by deep uncertainty, historical rootedness, and increasingly emotional discourse within and beyond the country.

SHORT ARTICLE

Total Defence in Comparative Perspective: What Sweden and Lithuania Reveal About Germany's Preparedness

Sweden and Lithuania are moving fast to harden their societies under new “total defence” strategies, while Germany is still searching for a coherent model that links military power, civilian resilience, and mobilisation. Why this divergence - and what does it mean for Europe’s security future?

VIDEO

Africa Isn't Choosing Sides - It's Choosing Growth
 
As global power shifts toward the U.S., China, and a rising India, Africa is increasingly focused on stability, investment, and agency - while Europe faces a pivotal choice in redefining its partnership with the continent. In this video interview, Africa expert Jakkie Cilliers offers insights into what this means in practice. Curious?

SHORT ARTICLE

Armenia at a Turning Point:
The Battle for Geopolitical Direction
Armenia’s latest parliamentary elections mark a key test of its geopolitical pivot, as the government pushes a new foreign policy direction aimed at closer integration with Europe. Whether this shift will hold - and how far it will go - remains an open question.

FROM OUR GALLERY

Resolving Conflicts over Farmland

Rebuilding trust, restoring peace: reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reconciliation is an ongoing and deeply human process shaped by conflict, displacement, and fragile coexistence. Across many regions, communities continue to face the legacies of violence, mistrust and economic hardship often due to unresolved land ownership issues. HSS supports processes and dialogue to resolve the disputes in a peaceful and lasting manner. Clear ownership structures are essential for enabling agricultural businesses to establish themselves, strengthening regional and national markets, and allowing the country to play a role as an international trading partner.

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

HSS Thailand
🤝 Thailand–Europe security dialogue 🇹🇭🇪🇺 — preparing August Security Conference 🛡️

HSS Morocco
🤝 Hanns Seidel Foundation Morocco 🇲🇦 — strengthening cooperation on policy, dialogue, and regional engagement 🌍✨

HSS Kenya

🤝 Civi Negotiation Table 🇰🇪 — youth, jobs & enterprise talk with Kwame Owino 🌍

WHO IS...?

Francesco Lapenta
Francesco Lapenta (Ph.D) is Director of the Institute for Future and Innovation Studies, where he brings together governments, diplomats, technology leaders, and civil society to address the governance implications of emerging technologies.
In case you are interested you can get in touch with Francesco via LinkedIn here. 
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The articles in this newsletter reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.