Starting as a theological debate, the Reformation became an ideological struggle against the Catholic Church, and from there a series of revolutions, wars, and civil wars. In this episode, Joe Russell will use this period of revolution as an important case study for historical materialism.

What is Christianity, and where did it come from? Alan Woods, theoretical leader of the RCI, discusses the origins of Christianity, from its early radical start, through to the bureaucratisation of the Church, and how the faith was used to colonise the world.

Announced yesterday, mainstream media have been going gaga for new pope Leo XIV. Yet the Church remains full of scandals, crises, and is riven with factionalism. A changing of the guard at the top offers no solutions, as the reign of Pope Francis illustrates.