‘The View’ co-host Joy Behar worries Pope Francis will be replaced by a ‘conservative guy’

New York Post - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on New York Post

On Tuesday, 'The View' co-host Joy Behar expressed concern over the potential conservative shift in the Papacy following Pope Francis' passing. Behar lamented the possibility of a conservative successor undoing the late Pontiff’s progressive stances, particularly on LGBTQ+ issues. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced Pope Francis' death on Monday, with his funeral set for Saturday at St. Peter’s Square. Co-host Sunny Hostin shared her personal connection to Pope Francis, highlighting his empathy and inclusivity, which had rekindled her faith amid past Church scandals. Hostin quoted the Pope’s views on overcoming indifference, aligning it with societal empathy deficits.

Whoopi Goldberg, another co-host, recalled her meeting with Pope Francis, praising his universal acceptance and humor. She noted his efforts to connect with diverse communities, stating he welcomed all, irrespective of their backgrounds. Pope Francis was known for advocating kindness and humility, often engaging in political discourse, including criticizing former President Donald Trump's immigration policies. His approach marked a significant shift in the Church’s tone, emphasizing mercy over exclusion, resonating with various communities worldwide.

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RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging account of reactions to Pope Francis' death, focusing on the opinions of 'The View' co-hosts. It effectively captures the public interest by addressing significant issues within the Catholic Church and broader societal debates. However, the story's reliance on a single perspective limits its balance and impact, as it does not include diverse viewpoints or authoritative sources. The lack of transparency in sourcing and methodology further undermines the story's credibility. Despite these shortcomings, the article is clear and accessible, making it suitable for a general audience interested in religious and cultural discussions. To enhance its overall quality, the article could benefit from more rigorous verification of claims, a wider range of perspectives, and clearer attribution of quotes and sources.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story makes several claims that are partially accurate but require verification. Joy Behar's comments about Pope Francis' death and concerns about his successor being conservative are subjective and need verification from the original broadcast of 'The View.' Additionally, the details about Pope Francis' death, such as the announcement by Cardinal Kevin Farrell and the funeral arrangements, are accurate and align with official Vatican reports. However, some claims, like the quotes attributed to Pope Francis and Sunny Hostin's personal reflections, need to be cross-verified with original sources like '60 Minutes' or the specific episode of 'The View.' Thus, while the story contains factual elements, it relies heavily on personal anecdotes and opinions that need further substantiation.

5
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the opinions of 'The View' co-hosts, particularly Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, and Whoopi Goldberg. It presents a one-sided perspective that highlights their admiration for Pope Francis and concerns about potential conservative successors. The story lacks a balanced viewpoint as it does not include perspectives from Catholic Church officials, conservative voices, or other stakeholders who might have differing opinions on Pope Francis' legacy or the implications of his death. This imbalance may lead readers to perceive a bias towards a liberal viewpoint without considering the broader spectrum of opinions within the Catholic community and beyond.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a straightforward narrative structure. It presents the reactions of 'The View' co-hosts in a logical sequence, making it accessible to readers. However, the story could benefit from more precise language when discussing the opinions and quotes of the hosts, as some statements are presented without sufficient context. Additionally, the article could improve clarity by distinguishing between verified facts and personal opinions more explicitly. Despite these issues, the overall language and tone are appropriate for a general audience.

4
Source quality

The story relies heavily on statements made by television personalities, which may not be the most authoritative sources on papal matters. While 'The View' is a popular show, its hosts are not experts on Vatican affairs, and their opinions may not carry the same weight as those from religious scholars or Vatican officials. The story does not cite any primary sources or official statements from the Vatican, which diminishes the credibility of the claims. Additionally, the lack of direct quotes from official Vatican announcements or interviews with religious experts further undermines the source quality.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and methodology. It does not clearly indicate where the quotes from 'The View' hosts were obtained or whether they were paraphrased. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or biases that the hosts might have. The story would benefit from a clearer explanation of how the information was gathered and whether any efforts were made to verify the quotes and claims. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the reliability of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-death-due-to-stroke-and-irreversible-cardiocircula.html
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5aYkyLuUNY
  3. https://cktoledo.org/2025/04/22/pope-francis-initial-reactions-to-his-death-22-april-2025/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_funeral_of_Pope_Francis
  5. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=370677http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D370677