Page 19 - The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026

Young Christian ‘Traitor’

meets Pope Leo XIV

By Mary Hammond, Editor, The Plain Truth

recently aired documentary and family, Army challenges when he
on BBC One followed the says ‘In my life, my faith has become
A journey of Harry Clark – stronger and weaker at different
Series 2 winner of ‘Traitors’ – as he times….In some dark moments,
achieved his seemingly impossible I almost gave up on life.’ A life of
dream of meeting Pope Leo XIV in sudden fame, in which his Roman
'Harry Clark Goes to Rome'. 1 Catholic faith kept him grounded.
Blending warmth, humour and ‘When I hit rock bottom, struggling Photo Credit: studiolambert.com/project/take-part-the-traitors-uk
emotional honesty, the film follows In a characteristically down-to- with mental health, like suicide, God
Harry on a personal pilgrimage earth exchange, Harry even asks The was the one thing that saved me.’
to Rome in search of answers Pope about football – before gifting Speaking to the growing number
about faith, identity and what it him a Chelsea shirt, which is warmly of young people embracing Christian
means to be a ‘good’ Catholic in the received. belief – and to anyone seeking
modern world. purpose or meaning – Harry’s book
But at the centre of his journey Role-model ‘mum’ offers encouragement, authenticity,
is one audacious goal: to meet one The experience is made even more and hope. !
of the most powerful figures on the poignant by Harry sharing the
planet. But against all odds, that moment with his mum, Georgia – the 1 Harry Clark goes to Rome (60 mins), aired
Thursday 2 April 2026 at 10.40pm on BBC One
dream becomes a reality. person who first instilled his faith and available to view on BBC iPlayer.
In an extraordinary and emotional and supported him through the most 2 Harry Clark: Staying Faithful published by SPCK,
climax, Harry – accompanied by his challenging moments of his life. September 2025, ISBN: 978-0281092222,
mum – is granted a private audience From his beginnings growing up 244pp in hardback and Kindle.
with Pope Leo XIV. On meeting in a council house in Slough to sitting
The Pope, Harry Clark said: ‘I never face-to-face with the head of the
thought The Pope would want to Catholic Church, Harry’s journey is as We have two
meet me but here we are. It was a life unlikely as it is inspiring. copies of Harry’s
changing experience and it was great Last year Harry also appeared in book Staying
to do it alongside my mum. It’s one of BBCs ‘Pilgrimage’ in which he further Faithful to give
the coolest experiences of my life. explored his Christian faith which away – and
‘It was the first time in my life he shared with fellow contestants
my mind was blown and I thought and viewers to the series. Then in hopefully be read
by a young person.
wow, I’m just a kid from a council September 2025, his autobiography So if you would
house in Slough and here I am sitting ‘Staying Faithful’ was published. like a copy and
2
opposite Pope Leo XIV talking about In his book Harry explains how he have someone in mind who may be
the importance of mental health went through some very dark times. inspired by this title, please write
awareness and that whether you have ‘As a 16 year old, I joined a man’s in – or email – for your chance to
faith or not, life is worth living. world, so I had to grow up quickly. win a copy. Write to:
‘My message to other young people But then you also saw very quickly the
is to never let anyone tell you that evils of the world, what man could do Harry's Book, The Plain Truth,
15 Meadowlands, Burwell,
you can’t achieve or accomplish to man, and it just made me question Cambridge CB25 0HG
something. Keep dreaming big.’ my faith as a whole. or you can email:
Reflecting on the moment, Harry It’s that simple question: God loves
editor@plaintruth.co.uk
describes overwhelming nerves us so much – then why does he let using the subject line Harry's Book.
turning into pure excitement as he death happen? Why does he let all this The closing date for this giveaway is
finally meets The Pope, and a genuine illness happen? In Staying Faithful, 30th June 2026.
connection forms between them. Harry shares stories of his upbringing

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Spring-Summer 2026 The Plain Truth 19