Rather hilarious that the new Pope is an American – since those responsible for forming American Independence were Followers of The Enlightenment (George Washington was a Freemason) – and that the bond between God and America only really dates from the time of the Great Depression. Historians are aware of this, of course. Do not count on the “populist” BBC to highlight any of this!

The motto “In God We Trust” first appeared on US currency in 1864 on two-cent coins. It was later mandated as the national motto in 1956.