Burnham's Faith & Politics, AI Sermons, World Cup & the Virgin Mary

Available for over a year

As Andy Burnham prepares to become the UK's new Prime Minister we look at how his Catholic upbringing shaped the values behind his politics. William Crawley discusses the interplay of faith and politics with Nick Spencer, senior fellow with the think tank Theos, and Francis Davis, visiting fellow Kellogg college, Oxford, who has written widely on Catholic social teaching and the role of faith in public policy. Artificial intelligence is quietly finding its way into church life. But is it always clear when a prayer, a sermon or a piece of pastoral advice has been shaped by a machine? The AI Christian Partnership want churches to be upfront about it, and they've just published new guidelines. Plus, it's World Cup final day, and this year's showdown carries an extra layer of meaning for people of faith. Argentina and Spain don't just share a footballing rivalry, they also share the Virgin Mary, in different guises. What does this tell us about faith and national identity? Presenter: William Crawley Producers: James Graham and Rosie Dawson Studio Managers: Lynsey Akehurst, Patrick Shaw and Helen Williams Editor: Catherine Murray