Política Exterior Pontificia: Las Características Personales del Líder Aplicado a los Papas del Siglo XXI

Abstract

The objective of this research is to compare the foreign policy vision of the two pontificates of the XXI century, Benedict XVI and Francis, applying the method of the personal characteristics of the leader proposed by Margaret Hermann to determine whether their personalities influence the projection of foreign policy of the Holy See or if rather there is a continuity in the discourse product of an organic continuity in the discourse of both pontificates. To achieve this, the use of a content analysis with the method of the characteristics of the leader of Margaret Hermann is proposed, using the analysis of interviews and press conferences of both Popes made throughout their respective papacies. Thus, this research proposes to make an analysis of foreign policy with a descriptive and historical approach with a qualitative methodology. The relevance of this article lies in the fact that it offers a novel perspective on an actor in the international system little studied such as the Holy See, as well as inviting us to rethink the figure of the Pope as an actor of international scope, balancing his role as religious leader with that of head of state and whose actions in office have repercussions not only in the Catholic Church, but in the International System itself.