It’s a new day at the Vatican — and in America’s ongoing conversation around equality.
White smoke over the Sistine Chapel signaled the selection of the new Pope: Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV. His election comes amid speculation about whether he will follow in the progressive footsteps of Pope Francis or shift the Catholic Church back toward its traditional roots.
As the world reacts to this historic announcement — marking the first time an American has been elected pope — Tim O’Brien filled in for Fred Roggin and brought a local lens to the global moment, blending faith, finances, and fairness on The Roggin Report.
While spiritual leadership shifted overseas, new data from LendingTree sparked another kind of reflection here at home. According to the study, the number of women earning $200,000 or more in the U.S. jumped 38.7% in the past decade. Yet in California, women still make up 55.3% of the state’s lowest earners — while men occupy nearly 65% of six-figure roles.
LendingTree’s Chief Consumer Financial Analyst, Matt Schulz, joined the show to break down the numbers. “California actually leads the country in the number of women earning six figures,” he explained. “But the wage gap persists due to structural issues — including career choices, societal roles, and biases.”
Panelists Tammy Black and Jill Marie Plaza didn’t hold back in their reactions. Black, a business owner, emphasized, “Equal pay for equal work isn’t radical — it’s fair. We often do more, and we do it in heels.” Plaza added that traditional family responsibilities often fall more heavily on women, which limits their earning potential despite equal competence.
The conversation then circled back to the Vatican. With a new pope from American soil, some hope he’ll embrace modern inclusivity like Francis; others want a return to core religious values. “I’d rather call it fairness than progressiveness,” said Black. “The last pope tried to give liberty to everyone.” Plaza disagreed, expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV focuses more on tradition and less on social issues.
Whether it’s the church or the job market, the question remains: how do we lead fairly in divided times? For now, the answers remain as complex as the issues themselves.
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By: Fred Roggin
May 8, 2025
