A view of the 2025 federal election from Parramatta Square, plus the machinations of a Papal conclave

In a pre-election broadcast from Parramatta Square, Professor Awais Piracha of Western Sydney University and Melissa Montiero of the Community Migrant Resource Centre discuss how religion could influence the result in heavily multicultural seats in Western Sydney and Melbourne, in particular.

In another election, where only 135 votes are cast, what is the politicking behind the choice of the next pope? Jesuit priest and political scientist Thomas Reese, author of the classic book Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church, discusses the factors that will influence the cardinals.