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Holy words, worldly deeds: The role of Pope Francis in Violence Against Women

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  • Mavisakalyan, Astghik
  • Sotirakopoulos, Panagiotis
  • Tobden, Tobden

Abstract

This study examines the influence of religious leaders on social attitudes by analysing Pope Francis' impact on beliefs about the justification of violence against women (VAW). Using a content analysis of his speeches, we document sustained engagement with topics related to women's rights. Exploiting variation in speech timing, religious affiliation, and proximity to the Vatican, we find that greater exposure to the Pope's statements is associated with lower acceptance of VAW. The effect appears to operate through heightened salience of religious values, reinforcing moral norms, and immediate increases in online search activity and media coverage of VAW-related topics. These findings highlight the power of religious authority figures to shape social attitudes and public discourse on gender-based violence.

Suggested Citation

  • Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Sotirakopoulos, Panagiotis & Tobden, Tobden, 2025. "Holy words, worldly deeds: The role of Pope Francis in Violence Against Women," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1691, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1691
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruno Pellegrino & Enrico Spolaore & Romain Wacziarg, 2025. "Barriers to Global Capital Allocation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 140(4), pages 3067-3131.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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