Jesuitical

From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to speak boldly and to air their criticisms openly. Since, the pope initiated the three-year Synod on Synodality, critics of the process have done just that. One such critic is George Weigel, a distinguished senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and the author of numerous books including his latest, To Sanctify the World: The Vital Legacy of Vatican II. To better understand the concerns of those who are skeptical of the synod, Zac and Ashley spoke with George, who is in Rome contributing to First Thing’s “Letters from the Synod” series. They discuss: - The confusion around what synodality really means and whether the synod is a good use of the church’s “evangelical energy” - Whether George sees the synodal process as inherently problematic or if he’s more concerned about who is, and isn’t, in the synod hall - Whether the synod is in accordance with the vision of church articulated at the Second Vatican Council In Signs of the Times, Zac discusses where we are in the synod process and looks ahead to the drafting of the assembly’s final document. Links from the show: The Synod on Synodality at the halfway point Letters from the Synod Jesuitical’s synod coverage is sponsored in part by the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Karram, was in Rome as a member of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 7, 2023 when she learned her homeland, Israel, was under attack. Margaret, a Catholic Arab born in Israel, is also the president of the Focolare Movement, a lay Catholic organization that promotes unity and fraternity in countries around the world. Though part of her felt she should leave Rome, she ultimately decided that the experience of synodality could help Catholics to become “bridges of peace” in places, like the Holy Land, where hope for a just end to the conflict is all but lost. Ashley and producer Sebastian Gomes speak with Margaret about her upbringing, the Focolare Movement and her experience inside the synod hall. They ask: - What it was like to learn about Hamas’ attack on her homeland on Oct. 7 while in the synod hall - About the difficulties and blessings she experienced growing up as a Catholic Arab in a majority Jewish neighborhood in Haifa, Israel - How the Focolare charism of dialogue and unity can keep Catholics from despairing when we face situations like the war in the Holy Land, where peace seems impossible In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the ecumenical prayer service held for synod delegates on the 62nd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The vigil was held at the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion and included readings from Vatican II documents by fraternal delegates. Plus, in the synod hall, delegates have begun their discussion on Part III of the instrumentum laboris on “Places,” that is, how the church lives and proclaims the Gospel in particular contexts and cultures. Links from the show: Synod Diary: At the synod’s ecumenical prayer service, a cry for unity in a world at war Cardinal Hollerich: Church is rooted in places and cultures Learn more about the Focolare Movement Jesuitical’s synod coverage is sponsored in part by the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it might not generate as many headlines as women deacons or L.G.B.T. Catholics, the role of the bishops has emerged as one of the most prominent—and controversial—topics of the Synod on Synodality. Two of the 10 study groups established by Pope Francis are dedicated to bishops, and the pope used his opening address at the final session of the synod in Rome to defend his decision to include lay people as voting members in a Synod of Bishops. Few people are better equipped to dig into questions around the role, qualifications and selection of bishops than Tom Reese, S.J., a senior analyst at Religion News Service and former editor in chief of America magazine. Tom has written several books about the history and structure of the episcopacy and has covered synods since the 1980s. Zac, Ashley and Sebastian talk to Tom about: - How the process of choosing bishops has changed from the apostolic age to today - The qualities we should look for in a bishop—holiness, theological smarts or administrative skill? - How the role of bishops is being discussed and discerned at the synod Zac and Ashley also share the tragic news that after a yearlong battle with cancer, friend and three-time guest Greg Hillis has passed away. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Links from the show: Pope Francis defends giving women and lay men voting rights at synod Read Tom Reese’s column 17 Schoolgirls Die In Rwanda Attack Nukes, contemplation and vocation: An introduction to Thomas Merton for young Catholics, interview with Greg Hillis Living like monks in quarantine, interview with Greg Hillis Greg Hillis & Family Cancer Journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of the final session of the Synod on Synodality, a diverse group of women working in ministry at the margins of the church had the opportunity of a lifetime: a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They brought their stories of serving Indigenous communities, working to protect the planet and bringing the Gospel to the peripheries. Among this global delegation was Rosella Kinoshameg, who is from the Odawa/Ojibway people and lives in the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve in Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. Zac and Ashley talk with Rosella about: - Her experience in Canada’s residential schools, state- and church-sponsored institutions that sought to strip Indigenous children of the language, traditions and heritage - Her work in the “Diocesan Order of Service,” a unique ministry that empowers mostly Indigenous women to serve their own communities through communion services, praying at funerals and wakes and ministering to the sick and dying - What she makes of the conversation about women’s ministry at the synod In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley recap the latest news from Rome, including Pope Francis’ announcement that he will create 21 new cardinals; the pope’s letter to Catholics in the Middle East on the anniversary of Oct. 7; and what the synod delegates are discussing in the Paul VI Hall this week. Links from the show: Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. Pope Francis to Catholics in the Middle East: Thank you for being able to pray and love despite everything Jesuitical’s synod coverage is sponsored in part by the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zac, Ashley and Sebastian are back in Rome to cover the second and final session of the Synod on Synodality, and who better to talk to about what to expect this month than Gerard O’Connell? America’s Vatican correspondent and co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, Gerry has covered every synod since 1985. Last year, the Jesuitical team spoke to Gerry about his career and why he considers this synod to be the most significant event in the life of the church since Vatican II. (Listen here!) This year, Zac, Ashley and Sebastian bring their burning questions (and maybe a little synod skepticism) to Gerry for answers and analysis. They ask: - Was it a mistake to relegate some of the “hot button” issues from last year’s synod to outside study groups? - If most of the “hot button” issues are off the table, what are synod delegates going to discuss this year? - What does it mean for the synod to “work”? The team also gives a rundown of what’s happened at the synod so far: a two-day retreat for delegates, an unusual penitential service and the opening Mass, celebrated by Pope Francis. Our Synod content is brought to you in part by the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Links from the show: From 2023: Everything you need to know about the Synod on Synodality Women deacons, LGBT issues not on the agenda for October’s synod meeting Vatican releases working document to guide October synod meeting Father Radcliffe tells synod members: Don’t be driven by fear of the church changing—or staying the same Interview: Timothy Radcliffe on how he prepares to give homilies—and preach to synod delegates Synod opens with unusual penitential service: 7 cardinals ask for forgiveness for church’s sins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this first episode from the second phase of the synod on synodality in Rome, Zac and Ashley introduce the highly anticipated gathering at the Vatican and introduce two of the youngest synod delegates who reflect on their life-changing experience. Our Synod content this year is brought to you in part by the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Learn more at: https://www.scu.edu/jst/becoming/ Follow America's coverage of the synod, including daily synod diaries delivered right to your inbox by becoming a subscriber. Visit: americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac share a “conversation in the Spirit” with Linda Staudt, a lay delegate from Canada who was selected to participate in the 2023 and 2024 Synod of Bishops for her extensive work in Catholic education and her involvement at the local, provincial, and national levels of the Canadian church. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Linda has become a tireless evangelist for synodal listening at the grassroots level. They discuss: - Linda’s experience of being selected as one of seven lay delegates to the Synod on Synodality from North America, and her initial reaction to being chosen. - The synodal process of listening, reflection, and discernment, and how it differs from traditional parliamentary-style meetings for its ability to reach and include the voices of those on the margins of the church. - Linda’s advice for parishioners and clergy who are frustrated by a lack of synodal engagement in their diocese or parish. Ashley, Zac, and the “Jesuitical” team join America’s “Inside the Vatican” team on their way to Rome to cover the 2024 Synod on Synodality. Great news: you can follow along from home! Visit AmericaMagazine.org/subscribe and you’ll get access to daily synod diaries along with our full coverage. If you have questions about the synod or topics about the Vatican you’d like us to cover during the synod, let us know! Send an email to [email protected] Links from the show: Five things to watch for in the upcoming October synod I listened to Synod delegates opposed to LGBTQ issues. Here are my responses. Women deacons, LGBT issues not on the agenda for October’s synod meeting Vatican II—and its media coverage—has a lesson for today’s synod: Don’t expect immediate results Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on a live recording of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Bishop Kevin Sweeney, the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. (and a “Jesuitical” superfan!), about his spiritual journey as a young priest on Sept. 11, 2001, and his transition to becoming a bishop during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bishop Sweeney cites his knowledge gained in hard times as the catalyst for his pastoral approach to fostering community in an evolving church. They discuss: - Bishop Sweeney’s own vocational journey, from considering professional baseball to embracing the priesthood and, later, the episcopacy. - How modern vocations of both men and women emphasize the radical Gospel call to co-responsibility among the laity in the life of the church. - Tangible ways that the church can help navigate the upcoming U.S. presidential election with a spirit of unity and respect. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ recent advice to Catholics voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where he called both major candidates “against life” and framed the election as a vote for the “lesser evil”; and curious stories about incorruptibility—the divine intervention that allows the bodies of certain saints to completely or partially avoid decomposition after death as a sign of their holiness. Links from the show: I was a young New York priest on 9/11. The lessons of that day stay with me as a bishop. Beyond The Beacon Podcast Pope Francis: Trump and Harris are ‘both against life’ but Catholics must vote and choose ‘lesser evil’ Nun’s incorruptible remains highlight rich heritage of Black Catholics in U.S., say experts Carmelites find St. Teresa of Ávila’s body still incorrupt over 400 years after her death Become a Jesuitical Patron and get access to the recording of an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., held on Thursday, Sept. 19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with gold medal-winning Olympic rower Nick Mead, who shares insights about being an Olympic athlete and praying with his team in Paris. Nick had the honor of being one of the two flag bearers at the 2024 closing ceremony (along with Catholic Olympic champion Katie Ledecky), and this fall, he’s preparing for his next win: a marriage in the Catholic Church. They discuss: How it felt to experience the excitement, camaraderie and faith sharing at the highest stage of athletic accomplishment The training and sacrifices involved in being an Olympic athlete, including the intense conditioning schedule, the toll on relationships and the pressure to perform. Nick’s religious background and experience with pre-marital counseling in the Catholic Church In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ recent trip to Asia and Oceania, including his stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore; and a new short documentary produced by their colleague and producer Sebastian Gomes on the state of the question of women deacons in the Catholic Church, which is now published on YouTube. Watch here! What’s on tap? Gatorade Links from the show: Women Deacons and the Catholic Church | An Explainer Pope Francis visits ‘the periphery of the peripheries’ in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea Pope Francis celebrates Mass for nearly half the population of Timor Leste Pope Francis in Singapore: visiting a small but influential Catholic Church What does Pope Francis’ ‘no’ mean for the Catholic debate over women deacons? Beyond The Beacon Podcast Become a Jesuitical Patron and get access to an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6-7 p.m. ET. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first episode of season eight of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley critique a general perception that younger priests are more conservative and rigid in their pastoral ministry. Joining them to discuss the countercultural decision to join the diocesan priesthood is the Rev. Wade Bass, a young priest who serves as pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Allen, Tex., a suburb of Dallas. They discuss: - Father Wade’s call to the priesthood, experience in seminary and love of the liturgy - The daily life and duties of young diocesan priests today, the joy and positive energy among younger priests, and the risks of loneliness and burnout - The extent to which the ministry of these priests is—or is not—impacted by theological and ideological debates within the church In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Asia; a lawsuit from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., over a new procedural change by the United States government regarding the processing of green cards for foreign-born priests; and the tragic execution by Hamas of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose mother, Rachel, appeared on Jesuitical in November 2023. Links from the show: Pope Francis begins the longest trip of his papacy yet despite age and mobility issues Mother of a Gaza hostage on keeping faith after Oct. 7: ‘It doesn’t make sense. And I still believe.’ Diocese sues immigration agencies over rule change that could force thousands of foreign-born priests to leave U.S. Catholics are more liberal. Young priests are more conservative. Can the synod help us overcome our divisions? Why Pope Francis is worried about seminaries and young priests with ‘authoritarian attitudes’ Join Jesuitical for a live recording on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Madison, New Jersey! Become a Jesuitical Patron and get access to an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6-7 p.m. ET. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley struggle to resist the temptation to “type” each other as they learn about the Enneagram from Liz Orr, a college chaplain who created the popular “Rude Ass Enneagram” Instagram account and authored the new book, “The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion.” They discuss: Various personality types and how they relate to each other (including Zac and Ashley) How we create defensive structures to protect our egos and what to do about it What the Catholic Church as a community and institution can learn from the Enneagram about humble self-assessment In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the developing news around Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, former nuncio to the United States, who has been formally charged with schism by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. They also preview the upcoming Jubilee year of hope and chart the pilgrimages and charitable works that will grant you an indulgence! What’s on tap? Spicy Margarita Links: Archbishop Viganó charged with schism by the Vatican, will face trial Archbishop Viganò says he will not participate in Vatican schism trial Rude Ass Enneagram Instagram account The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by journalist Rachel Swarns to discuss her latest book, The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church. Rachel shares her wisdom about this important issue for U.S. Catholics and her experience as a Black Catholic, opening up a wide-ranging conversation about the work being done to repair such a grave injustice and promote racial justice in the church. They discuss: The history of Catholic slaveholding and the Jesuits’ involvement in the slave trade The sale of enslaved people by the Jesuits in 1838, its impact on families and the reunion of the descendants The efforts of Georgetown University and the church to repair this injustice In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover Pope Francis’ recent meeting with comedians from around the world (and America’s editor at large, James Martin, S.J.). They then discuss the pope’s trip to the G7 in Italy and the concerns he raised in his speech about artificial intelligence. Lastly, they talk about recent polling from the Vinia Research Group that found that Catholics’ belief in the real presence in the Eucharist is higher than a 2019 report from the Pew Research Group would suggest. What’s on tap? Prosecco Links from the show: Pope Francis jokes with Colbert, Fallon, Conan, Whoopi, Chris Rock, Gaffigan and others at the Vatican Pope Francis has private meeting with Joe Biden at G7 summit New Study Suggests More Than Two-Thirds of Catholics Believe the Eucharist is Truly Jesus Do most Catholics think the Eucharist is ‘just a symbol’? It’s complicated. The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church by Rachel L. Swarns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] Basketball fans know Steve Javie as a longtime N.B.A. referee and a frequent commentator on ESPN and ABC. But for the parishioners at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Newtown, Pa., he’s Deacon Steve. In the midst of the N.B.A. finals tournament, Deacon Steve took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with Zac and Ashley about life on the court and in the pulpit. They discuss: His journey from zealous rookie ref to humble officiator in the N.B.A. The dangers of turning sports into your religion. How his career in refereeing has informed his ministry as a permanent deacon. In Signs of the Times, a second miracle has been attributed to Blessed Carlo Acutis. Zac and Ashley discuss the life and legacy of the Italian teenager on track to be the first millennial saint. Plus, Pope Francis has again used a homophobic slur in a discussion about admitting gay men to seminary. How are Catholics supposed to understand these comments from a pope who famously said about gay priests, “Who am I to judge?” Links from the show: Pope Francis recognizes miracle needed for the first ‘millennial’ saint: Blessed Carlos Acutis Pope Francis uses gay slur for second time in closed-door meeting, Italian reports allege Jesuitical: Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond? What’s on tap? Miller Lite—on ice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a very special week on “Jesuitical”—Ethan Hawke joins us to discuss his new film, “Wildcat,” about the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor, who is portrayed in the film by Ethan’s daughter, Maya. Zac, Ashley and Ethan share a wide-ranging and profound conversation about this great American writer and the work of bringing her to life in “Wildcat.” They discuss: Ethan’s introduction to Flannery through Maya and the inspiration behind “Wildcat” Portraying Flannery’s complicated views on race Exploring religious questions through art Links from the show: Ethan Hawke’s new biopic ‘Wildcat’ gracefully captures Flannery O’Connor’s complex attitudes on race, writing and faith What can we learn from our confirmation names? Share your confirmation saint name in our Facebook group What’s on tap? Flannery’s favorite concoction: Coca-Cola and coffee (plus a shot of bourbon, per Ethan’s recommendation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” we’re breaking from our usual format to discuss news out of the Vatican that Pope Francis used a homophobic slur while discussing church policy on admitting gay men to the priesthood. To discuss this incident and the apology that followed, Ashley is joined by “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes; Mike O’Loughlin, executive director of Outreach, a resource for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics; and Ricardo da Silva, S.J., producer of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, host of the “Preach” podcast and an associate editor at America. They discuss: The context of the incident, the Vatican’s response, and the implications for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Vatican policy about gay men in seminaries and the history of Francis’ outreach to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Advice for those affected by the pope’s comments Links from the show: I am a gay priest. We need more than an apology for Pope Francis’ homophobic slur. Pope Francis used an anti-gay slur. What now for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics? Pope Francis says Italian seminaries should reject gay applicants Vatican issues apology after Pope Francis’ use of an anti-gay slur Pope Francis’ remarks about gay seminarians ‘taken out of context and used to divide,’ Italian bishop says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are live at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a conversation with Eric Sundrup, S.J., who provides spiritual direction (or spiritual violence, depending on who you ask) for the podcast. The hosts and Eric share their own experiences discerning their paths as young adults and offer insights from Jesuit spirituality to young people navigating big life questions. They discuss: The need for community and friends you can be vulnerable with while discerning How consolation and desolation can guide discernment Advice for young people discerning their path During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Stuart Wilson-Smith, C.S.P., the Catholic chaplain at the University of California, Los Angeles, to discuss the recent student protests taking place on campus. Father Stu describes the scene on U.C.L.A.’s campus, how the Catholic center offered support and spaces for interfaith dialogue to students, and where he saw God amid the protests. Links from the show: UCLA’s Catholic chaplain: The world saw scenes of violence at campus protests. Here’s what they didn’t see. Learn more about the Paulists What’s on tap? Kentucky Bourbon from the Neeley Family Distillery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Burge set out to learn how many Catholics agree with church teachings on three key pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. The answer? Fewer than 1 percent. This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Ryan, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack, to discuss his findings on the beliefs of American Catholics today. They discuss: Trends in Catholic opinion on pro-life issues. How faith-based beliefs and secular politics interact in our polarized society. The role of data in understanding religious trends and effectively communicating church teaching. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the eucharistic pilgrimages taking place ahead of July’s National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. They also cover the controversial commencement speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College. Links from the show: Cafeteria Catholicism? Planning to join up with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Here’s what you need to know. Harrison Butker’s commencement speech and the danger of a Catholic ‘dead traditionalism’ Young U.S. Catholics want more orthodoxy. That doesn’t mean they reject Vatican II. Podcast: When Catholic doctrine can change—and when it can’t What’s on tap? Carajillos (2 parts cold brew, 2 parts Licor 43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are joined by Andrea Von Kampen, a singer-songwriter and friend of the show. Hailing from Lincoln, Neb., Andrea discusses her new album, “Sister Moon.” (For those keeping track at home, yes, that is a St. Francis of Assisi reference.) Recorded at Union Pool in Brooklyn, N.Y., they share a wide-ranging conversation touching on spirituality, live music, the environment and more. They discuss: The spiritual and environmental influences on “Sister Moon” How Andrea writes about important issues without being preachy The joys and challenges of touring as a singer-songwriter, especially post-Covid In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the ins and outs of the recent synod meeting of parish priests at the Vatican. They also discuss a “home blessing challenge” in Cincinnati, then close out by talking about the Catholics who recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from a fellow Catholic, President Joe Biden. Links from the Show Sister Moon Andrea Von Kampen's website Parish priests had a synod meeting with the Vatican. But will they be included in October’s assembly? Cincinnati priests compete to meet parishioners in home blessing challenge Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle and Nancy Pelosi to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Francesco: A Pope Francis Documentary What’s on tap? Nine Pin Hard Cider Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley share their conversation with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on the role of a church in a polarized society. As the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., “the epicenter of division,” Cardinal Gregory has devoted himself to bringing people together across vast political and faith-based differences, lending profound insight (and humor!) to this live conversation, which was hosted by Georgetown University’s Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and Leadership Roundtable. They discuss: Cardinal Gregory’s conversion as a boy and life as a priest Watching people come together through the synod, from diocesan meetings to the universal session in Rome The cardinal’s advice for young people who feel disengaged from politics During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by one of Jesuitical’s assistant producers, Delaney Coyne, to break down a recent debacle surrounding an A.I. priest. They cover the laicization of Catholic Answers’ “Father Justin” and discuss the kind of insights this technology can—and can’t—provide. Want to advertise your school, ministry program, book or anything else on Jesuitical? Send us an email at [email protected] Links from the show The real lesson behind the ‘Father Justin’ AI priest debacle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few events inspire a media spectacle quite like the election of a pope. The white smoke, cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, secret ballots and ancient rules—it’s catnip for secular and Catholic journalists alike. But how did these customs evolve—and how might they change in the future? To find out, Zac and Ashley talk with Miles Pattenden, a historian, expert in the history of papal conclaves and the author of Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700. They discuss: How the election of popes evolved from St. Peter to today The role of the Holy Spirit—and politicking—inside conclaves And whether the secrecy of conclaves can survive in a modern world that prizes transparency In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new Justice Department investigation into last year’s leaked F.B.I. memo about the potential domestic threat posed by “traditional Catholics.” Plus, in a talk about forgiveness, a Michigan bishop called on Catholics not to “hate” politicians like Joe Biden—and then called the president stupid. Want to advertise your school, ministry program, book or anything else on Jesuitical? Send us an email at [email protected] Links from the show: No Bias Found in F.B.I. Report on Catholic Extremists Biden ‘doesn't understand the Catholic faith,’ bishop says: ‘I’m not angry at him, he’s just stupid’ Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700, by Miles Pattenden MilesPattenden.com What’s on tap? Amaro Spritz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Megan Nix, the author of Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth. The memoir details Megan’s journey after her daughter, Anna, contracted a little-known but relatively common congenital disease, cytomegalovirus, or CMV, during Megan’s pregnancy. They discuss: Megan’s experience of her daughter’s diagnosis and the lack of awareness and support surrounding CMV The tension of loving Anna as she is and wanting to improve her quality of life How St. Thomas Aquinas’s five remedies for sorrow helped Megan understand the joys and sorrows of raising a child with disabilities In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk about a recent proposal out of Baltimore that would cut the number of parishes from 61 to 21. They also cover an imposter priest wreaking havoc throughout the New York area and Pope Francis’ plans to reinstate Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, as an apostolic nuncio. What’s on tap? A mojito (with fresh mint!) Links from the show: Baltimore archdiocese proposes cutting 61 parishes to 21 in the city Imposter Priest Who Robbed Catholic Churches Nationwide Arrested in California After public rift, Francis restores Benedict XVI’s former secretary to Vatican service Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Amir Hussain, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University. Amir shares his insights about navigating life as a Muslim teaching theology at a Catholic university, prompting a conversation ranging from the imperative and blessings of interfaith dialogue to life without a cell phone. They also cover: Amir’s experience completing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius The history and diversity of Muslims in the United States Finding common ground and sharing experiences with people of different faiths In Signs of the Times, Jesuitical’s producer, Sebastian Gomes, and “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle join Ashley to break down “Dignitas Infinita,” the recent declaration from the Vatican covering issues surrounding human dignity like gender theory, human trafficking, surrogacy and more. What’s on tap? Boulevardier Links from the show: New Vatican doc ‘Dignitas Infinita’: What it says on gender theory, surrogacy, poverty and more Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss Dignitas Infinita on “Inside the Vatican” What meeting John Wooden taught a Muslim theologian about Jesuit education Muslims and the Making of America Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Aug. 19, 2014, the world watched in horror as the American journalist James Foley read a script prepared for him by ISIS terrorists, who filmed him from an unknown location in the Syrian desert. Mr. Foley, who had been in ISIS captivity for almost two years, was then beheaded by his captors. That is how Diane Foley learned that her son, who had been kidnapped in Libya on a previous reporting trip, would not be coming home this time. In the new book, American Mother, Diane teams up with Colum McCann, an award-winning and international best-selling author, to tell her and her son’s story. Both authors join Zac and Ashley this week for a powerful conversation about grief, forgiveness and perseverance. They discuss: How Diane’s son James discovered his vocation as a journalist Why Diane decided to meet with one of her son’s killers How her Catholic faith sustained her through James’s years of captivity and after his death In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new book of interviews with Pope Francis, in which he discusses his relationship with Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave that elected him and his predecessor. Plus, Cardinal Wilton Gregory calls President Biden a “cafeteria Catholic” during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Easter Sunday, and the Society of Jesus releases a strongly worded statement on the war in Gaza. Links from the show: Pope Francis opens up about Benedict XVI, past conclaves and more in new book Important U.S. cardinal says Biden is a ‘cafeteria Catholic’ ‘We cannot be silent’: A statement from the Jesuits on Gaza American Mother, by Colum McCann with Diane Foley Bonus episodes available now through Patreon: ​​The quirky history of papal conclaves Cardinal Gregory on young people, politics and becoming a listening church Live show! If you live in the Cincinnati area, you’re invited to join Zac, Ashley and Father Eric Sundrup (Jesuitical’s spiritual director) for a live show at Xavier University, on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-7:30 pm. The event will be held in the Conatan Board Room in Schmidt Hall and will be followed by Mass. What’s on tap? Cielo prosecco, a.k.a, Easter Bubbly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although “Jesuitical” is often recorded over drinks, longtime listeners know that the hosts abstain from alcohol during Lent, which means there’s no better time to welcome Derek Brown to the show. He’s an award-winning mixologist, the founder of Positive Damage Inc., and an expert on no- and low-alcohol cocktails and mindful drinking. Derek joins Zac and Ashley for an enlightening conversation about drinking, its place in our culture and evaluating its place in our lives. They discuss: Derek’s journey from award-winning bartender to mindful drinking advocate—and how his faith informed that decision Why it seems like so many people today are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol Tips for taking a more mindful approach to drinking Links from the Show Confessions of a Catholic Bartender Derek’s Positive Damage substack What’s on tap? Pinch hitters (0% ABV—it’s still Lent!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an election year, and like it or not, the race is heating up, so “Jesuitical” went to Washington, D.C., to hear from an expert about the state of play. A long-time friend of the show, N.P.R.’s Scott Detrow, is the weekend host of “All Things Considered” and a co-host of the podcasts “Consider This” and “Trump’s Trials,” N.P.R.’s weekly recap of the former president’s multiple court cases. He joins Zac and Ashley for a refreshing conversation about politics and faith as we gear up for November’s election. They discuss: Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who both recently clinched their respective parties’ nominations The ethics of covering politics in today’s polarized climate The role of religion in U.S. politics In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the diplomatic dust-up caused by the pope’s recent comments about the war in Ukraine before moving into a conversation about Francis’ 11th anniversary of his election, which was on March 13. The hosts talk about continued criticism of Pope Francis, as well as their own opinions about Francis’ papacy. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected]. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome! Links from the show: After backlash, Vatican clarifies Pope Francis’ call for Ukraine to have ‘courage of the white flag’ Spanish bishop rebukes priests who joked about wishing pope goes to heaven soon Attacking Pope Francis, anonymous cardinal seeks to curb the influence of his papacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oscars are this Sunday, so Zac and Ashley welcome John Dougherty, the moderator of America’s Catholic Movie Club, to unpack the state of play—and the Catholic themes—in some of this year’s Best Picture nominees. John, who is also the director of campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is an expert in finding God in all films. He guides the hosts through a fun-filled conversation on the best stories and performances of 2023. John, Zac and Ashley discuss: - How movies can help us to better understand ourselves and our culture - Thoughts on Best Picture nominees like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and more (plus, Zac gives his pick for St. Ignatius Film of the Year) - Predictions and hopes for this year’s Oscar winners In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent lawsuits against Catholic migrant shelters, Church Militant’s announcement that they will cease operations in April after losing a defamation lawsuit and Pope Francis’ announcement that he will wash the feet of inmates at a women’s prison on Holy Thursday. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected]. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome! Links from the show: John Dougherty’s writing The return of the Catholic Movie Club: Why going to the movies is a sacred act Hard truths, Catholics and women in Hollywood: takeaways from this year’s Oscar noms Catholic charities and religious freedom are under fire at the border Church Militant will cease publication in April after losing defamation suit Pope Francis to do Holy Thursday feet washing at women’s prison Support Jesuitical on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the question every college senior dreads when they’re back home for Christmas break: What are you going to do after graduation? At a live recording of Jesuitical at Loyola University Chicago, Zac and Ashley talk with Paddy Gilger, S.J., about how students (and the rest of us) can use the tools of Ignatian discernment when making more life decisions. They discuss: Whether college is a bubble—and if that is a good or bad thing How they saw God working in their lives as they made the leap from college to careers The importance of doing discernment in community Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected]. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley welcome Meg Kissinger, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. Meg’s memoir employs her journalistic skills to tell a tale of a Catholic family navigating mental illness. It serves as a great foundation for a profound, personal conversation about faith, tragedy, and trusting in an institution even when people in it have failed you. They discuss: Meg’s family’s experience with mental illness and suicide The evolution of the church’s pastoral care for those impacted by suicide How community life can help us to have better conversations about mental health In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the recent news that the prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archives, Archbishop Sergio Pagano, is retiring—and dishing Vatican secrets on the way out. They then cover the recent controversy over the funeral of activist Cecilia Gentili, which was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York last week. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. What’s on tap? Coffee—it’s still Lent! Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected] Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the show: When my siblings died by suicide, the church failed us. Now, it’s finally listening. The keeper of the Vatican’s secrets is retiring. Here’s what he wants you to know. Cardinal Dolan on St. Pat’s funeral for transgender activist: ‘I think our cathedral acted extraordinarily well’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To ring in the Lenten season, “Jesuitical” is talking Exodus 90, a 90-day ascetic spiritual practice for men centered around three pillars: prayer, fasting and fraternity. Terence Sweeney, an assistant teaching professor in the Honors Program and Humanities Department at Villanova University, joins Zac and Ashley to chat about the hugely popular program—why people love it, what it leaves out and what Catholics who don’t participate can learn from it. They discuss: - The absence of communal Lenten practices in today’s church and how Exodus 90 tries to fill that void - Exodus 90’s shortcomings and the dangers of spiritual meritocracy in ascetic practice - What all Catholics can take from Exodus 90 this Lent In this week’s Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Christine Lenahan, one of America’s O’Hare Fellows. They discuss controversial depictions of Christ, from the “He Gets Us” Super Bowl ads and a new painting of Jesus that caused quite an uproar in Seville, Spain. What’s on tap? Water. Happy Lent. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected] Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the show: - Fasting, praying and working out: What ‘Exodus 90’ gets right—and wrong—about asceticism for men - Controversial artistic depictions of Jesus are nothing new - In defense of the ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads - 101 Things To Give Up For Lent - Terence Sweeney's podcast episode, "A Medieval Anti-racist" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re still Catholic, there are presumably things you love about the church. But it can be tempting to focus on the negatives: the scandals, the boring homilies, the lackluster music. This week, Zac and Ashley are doing something a little different: talking about why they love the church with Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis. at a special live recording at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, they discuss: - How Bishop Hying’s love for the church changed when he became a bishop - The saints, the sacraments and the Catholic imagination - How to balance love and hard truths in pastoral work In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a street artist known for his paintings of Pope Francis (and who now has the Vatican’s official stamp of approval) and a new document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that reminds priests that when it comes to administering the sacraments, they need to stick to the script. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at [email protected] Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the show: - Street artist of ‘Super Pope’ fame gets official Vatican stamp of approval - Vatican to priests: Stick to the script for Sacraments - Bishop Hying: Why I Love the Church What’s on tap? Fernet Branca on ice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Matthew Cressler, a scholar of Catholicism and race. Matthew created “Bad Catholics, Good Trouble,” a webcomic series about anti-racism and struggles for justice across American Catholic history, which frames an enlightening discussion about racial justice in the Catholic Church. They discuss: - Institutional and individual Catholic responses to the civil rights movement - The history of white supremacy in American Catholicism - What it means to be a “good” or “bad” Catholic in the face of injustice In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss allegations of sexual misconduct against Quebec’s Cardinal Archbishop Gérald Lacroix; a summit in Rome that brought together pairs of Catholic and Anglican bishops from 27 countries; and Martin Scorsese’s latest meeting with Pope Francis. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your parish, diocese, center or school, send us an email at [email protected] Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Drink: Old Fashioneds Links from the show: - Bad Catholics, Good Trouble - Anglican, Catholic bishops travel, pray, work together - Québec’s Cardinal Lacroix, named in sex abuse lawsuit, will temporarily step aside from duties - Martin Scorsese Meets Pope Francis, Announces Film About Jesus - The Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy-Jill “AJ” Levine, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament and author of The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus, sits down with Zac and Ashley at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, an Anglican Cathedral in New York City. It’s a dynamic interfaith conversation in an ecumenical setting, and AJ helps break open Jesus’ Jewish identity and context for the hosts. They discuss: AJ’s Jewish upbringing in Massachusetts and how she became interested in studying the New Testament Common anti-Jewish tropes and misconceptions in New Testament interpretation How interfaith dialogue can help Catholics and Jews better understand each other and ourselves And a final reminder that the deadline to apply to the O’Hare Fellowship is fast approaching. O’Hare Fellows spend a year living in New York City and working at America’s offices in midtown, where they will generate content for America’s multiple platforms: print, web, digital, social media and events. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship, the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here! Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, [email protected] Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 18, the Vatican’s doctrinal office released “Fiducia Supplicans,” a declaration that allowed priests to give simple or pastoral blessings to couples in irregular situations, including those in same-sex relationships. This week on “Jesuitical,” Father Alex Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph parish in Hoboken, N.J., joins Zac and Ashley to explain how “Fiducia Supplicans” is being received in his parish. They discuss: - Father Santora’s reaction to “Fiducia Supplicans” and how he plans to discuss the declaration and enflesh it in his parish - Taking a pastoral approach to complicated situations and accompanying people even when you have to tell them “no” - The importance of listening in pastoral ministry In an infernal Signs of the Times segment, Zac and Ashley cover Pope Francis’ recent comments that he hopes hell is empty, the subsequent criticisms from some Catholics, and why an empty hell might not be such a crazy idea, even if it’s not a dogma of faith. They also dive into a recent poll from Gallup on Pope Francis’ approval ratings in the U.S. (it is an election year, after all) and explore how our country’s ideological divides might impact our view of the pontiff. After the interview, Ashley and Zac welcome another one of Jesuitical’s assistant producers, Delaney Coyne, to share about her experience as an O’Hare Fellow at America. She talks about how her love for social justice led her to apply to the fellowship, the work she does at America and finding God in disagreement. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here! Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, [email protected] Jan 22: Vintage Brewing Company (Madison West) from 7-9 pm. Meet and greet with Zac and Ashley, over drinks! Location: 674 South Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53711 Jan. 23: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Mass at 5:30 pm followed by a live interview with Bishop Donald Hying on “Why we love the church” from 6:30-8:30pm. Jan. 25: Loyola University Chicago (Ignatius House) in Chicago, IL. Live discussion with Patrick Gilger, S.J. on, “What the hell should I do with my life?: God, discernment and vocation outside the college bubble” from 7-9 p.m. Student Mass to follow at 9pm (Note: This event has limited capacity. Please RSVP to [email protected]) Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the show: - The Editors: Vatican document on same-sex blessings does not confuse church teaching—it deepens it - Pope Francis says he hopes hell is ‘empty’ - 58% of Americans, 77% of U.S. Catholics View Pope Favorably What’s on tap? White Claws Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley welcome John Martens, a professor of theology and director of the Centre for Christian Engagement at St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to shine a light on the Bible passages that have shaped Pope Francis’ papacy. They discuss: - How the Call of Matthew and the Parable of the Good Samaritan shape the pope’s view of a church that is a “field hospital” for sinners - Debates over the connection between justice, truth and mercy - Criticisms of Pope Francis’ approach, especially in the U.S. Church In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover a Vatican official’s recent call to reconsider mandatory priestly celibacy in the church. They also discuss Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who has come under fire for a book he wrote 25 years ago on spirituality and sensuality. And after the interview they welcome another friend to share about his faith: Michael O’Brien, one of America’s O’Hare Fellows who helps produce “Jesuitical.” He shares what drew him to the fellowship and how his post-grad year at America has enriched his faith. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here! Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, [email protected] Jan 22: Vintage Brewing Company (Madison West) from 7-9 pm. Meet and greet with Zac and Ashley, over drinks! Location: 674 South Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53711 Jan. 23: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Mass at 5:30 pm followed by a live interview with Bishop Donald Hying on “Why we love the church” from 6:30-8:30pm. Jan. 25: Loyola University Chicago (Ignatius House) in Chicago, IL. Live discussion with Patrick Gilger, S.J. on, “What the heck should I do with my life?: God, discernment and vocation outside the college bubble” from 7-9 p.m. Student Mass to follow at 9pm (Note: This event has limited capacity. Please RSVP to [email protected]) Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the Show Pope Francis’ focus on the Bible and mercy—and why so many Catholics are uncomfortable with it Apply to the O’Hare Fellowship RSVP to our event in Arlington, Virginia! What’s on Tap? New Fangled Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas is a time for traditions. From the quirky to the classic, every family has a favorite holiday movie, dish or custom. This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley talk to four of their colleagues about their Advent and Christmas traditions—some old, some aspirational, some completely made up but all filled with the joy and anticipation of the season. This is Jesuitical’s last episode of 2023—unless you become a member of the Patreon community. Next week, members will get a bonus mail-bag episode in their feeds. Zac and Ashley answer listener questions about the synod, the future of the parish and more. Sign up today! Links from the show: The perfect imperfections of the Nativity pageant, by Heather Trotta, vice president for advancement What my mother’s Advent gift tradition taught me about the true meaning of giving, by Molly Cahill, associate editor A (Midwestern) discussion about Advent traditions, by Joe Hoover, S.J., poetry editor I love my Advent wreath. I just keep forgetting to light it, by Kerry Weber, executive editor What’s on tap? Prosecco with pomegranate seeds…and eggnog with orange Fanta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview Stephanie Saldaña, the author of What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and The Things They Carry. Stephanie lives with her family in Bethlehem, where the economy has long relied on tourism around Christmas time as Christian pilgrims flock to the site of Jesus’ birth. But as one might imagine with the war raging in Gaza, Advent in Bethlehem looks different this year. Stephanie helps the “Jesuitical” team to enter into that reality. They discuss: Stephanie’s experience on and after Oct. 7 as a Christian living in the West Bank The challenges Bethlehem residents are facing during the war and how that’s impacted Advent celebrations Stephanie’s spirituality and the importance of closeness amid these difficult times In a funeral-focused Signs of the Times segment, Ashley and Zac get into Pope Francis’ recent announcement that he won’t be buried at the Vatican as well as recent Vatican guidelines about scattering ashes. They also talk about the recent lawsuit brought by a group of nuns against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. Plus, Zac shares his quibbles with this year’s liturgical calendar. Links In war zones, hospitals are holy ground. The explosion of one in Gaza is a tragic turning point. When dancing turns to mourning: A wedding hall fire brings tragedy to Qaraqosh Pope Francis says he will not be buried at the Vatican, simplifies papal funeral rite Vatican says no to scattering ashes, but approves families keeping ‘minimal’ part of cremated remains in a ‘significant’ place Group of nuns sue gunmaker Smith & Wesson over assault weapons What’s on tap? Arak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are honored to welcome Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages taken into Gaza following Hamas’s massacre at the Nova music festival in Southern Israel on Oct. 7. In the weeks since Hersh and 240 other hostages were brutally kidnapped, Rachel has met with a host of people, including the pope and the president, to share her son’s story. She was gracious enough to bring that story to “Jesuitical,” and she and the hosts shared a moving conversation. They discuss: Rachel’s family life and Hersh’s passion for reading and adventure The last time Rachel saw Hersh on Oct. 6 and her experience learning about the massacre on Oct. 7 Rachel’s meeting with Pope Francis and the power of dialogue in sustaining hope How Rachel’s Jewish faith has been challenged and served as a source of strength in the wake of unthinkable tragedy Support Jesuitical on Patreon or become a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though Pope Francis recently canceled his trip to Dubai for COP28 on doctor’s orders, the meeting still represents a huge initiative in Francis’ papacy; in “Laudate Deum,” Francis writes that the meeting has the potential to be “a historic event that honors and ennobles us as human beings” (“Laudate Deum,” No. 59). So Ashley and Zac welcomed Jose Aguto, the executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” to discuss Catholic climate advocacy at this pivotal moment. They discuss: Pope Francis’ commitment to climate justice throughout his papacy How Catholics should understand climate change as both a systemic and spiritual issue, and where we can find hope The history and current state of climate action in the U.S. church In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley check in with Maggi Van Dorn, host of the “Hark!” podcast, which explores the meaning and making of our favorite Christmas carols. The first episode of season three, which came out on Sunday, dives into “O Holy Night” and features Greg Boyle, S.J. Maggi takes the “Jesuitical” team behind the scenes of “Hark!” production and helps to usher in the Advent season. Links from the show: ‘Our ecological crisis is fundamentally a moral one’: Catholic Climate Covenant’s new executive director hopes to inspire care for creation Jose Aguto, Catholic Climate Covenant Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue Prudence and the Common Good Laudate Deum Laudato Si’ The abolitionist history of ‘O Holy Night’ “Hark!” Podcast What’s on tap? (knock-off) Chartreuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten years ago, Pope Francis released his first papal document, “Evangelii Gaudium,” which lays out his vision for the church in the 21st century. To help break down this inaugural document of Francis’ papacy, Zac and Ashley welcome Rafael Luciani, an associate professor of practice at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. They discuss: Pope Francis’ call to “pastoral conversion” and “missionary discipleship” How Pope Francis’ Latin American roots guide his vision for the church The foundation for a synodal church put forth in “Evangelii Gaudium” Links from the show: Evangelii Gaudium What’s on tap? Wine from Mendoza, Argentina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley welcome Lee C. Camp, a professor of theology and ethics at Lipscomb University, the author of Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians and the host of “No Small Endeavor,” a podcast that explores what it means to live a good life. They discuss: Lee’s upbringing as a Protestant Christian in Alabama, and how his studies at the University of Notre Dame changed his views on the Catholic world Moral theology and the value of asking, “What does it mean to live a good life?” The importance of good, wholesome arguments in religious tradition In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac talk about Pope Francis’ controversial decision to remove Bishop Joseph Strickland from his duties overseeing the diocese of Tyler, Tex. They then discuss the U.S. bishops more broadly, focusing on this week’s U.S.C.C.B. meeting in Baltimore and the conflicting assessments of the U.S. church put forth by various leaders. Links from the show: Pope Francis removes Bishop Strickland of Diocese of Tyler, Texas Archbishop Broglio and Cardinal Pierre offer competing visions of synodality at bishops’ meeting Zac and Ashley’s appearance on “No Small Endeavor” What’s on tap? Chimay Trappist ale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does a 25-year-old woman from Salt Lake City end up facilitating peace negotiations during a civil war in South Sudan? This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Elizabeth Boyle, an International Relations Officer in the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay social movement of the Catholic Church whose mission focuses on three “P”s: “prayer, peace, and the poor.” Zac and Ashley talk to Elizabeth about: The journey that brought Elizabeth to peacebuilding and the work she’s doing with the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome What her work in South Sudan reveals about the challenges and possibilities of peacemaking How Catholics (and the church) can integrate peace into their spirituality In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss Pope Francis’ recent announcement that he would travel to Dubai to attend COP28. Then, they get into a most pressing issue facing the church: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather” music video, which caused an uproar after being filmed in the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn. Links from the show: Interview: Pope Francis’ presence at COP28 climate conference in Dubai is ‘without precedence’ Brooklyn bishop ‘appalled’ over music video shot in Catholic church, will investigate Podcast: When Catholic doctrine can change—and when it can’t The Community of Sant'Egidio What’s on tap? Lambrusco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special crossover episode of Jesuitical and Inside the Vatican, Zac Davis speaks with his colleagues Gerard O’Connell, Sam Sawyer, S.J., and synod member James Martin, S.J., about the concluding document of the recent synod on synodality in Rome. They discuss: The open debate about women’s ordination to the diaconate Why reference to L.G.B.T. Catholics was not included in the synthesis document What the synthesis document is and how it can be read and used widely Was this really a synod of bishops? Plus, new paths for appointing bishops and performance reviews Links: Father James Martin: What happened at the Synod on Synodality Cardinal Cupich on the synod, women deacons, giving bishops job reviews and why ‘LGBTQ’ was left out of the final doc Synod publishes final report and votes: Calls for more discussion on synodality, women deacons and more Full text: Pope Francis’ homily closing the 2023 Synod on Synodality Support Jesuitical and Inside the Vatican by becoming a digital subscriber to America! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley discuss a, if not the, big question hanging over the synod: Can it change church teaching? They unpack the place of authority, doctrinal development and the synod with Richard Gaillardetz, the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and the author of a foundational text on the levels of church teaching: By What Authority?: A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful. They ask Dr. Gaillardetz: What’s the difference between a dogma, doctrine and teaching? What do I need to believe to be Catholic? Is it O.K. to disagree with church teaching? How has church teaching developed throughout history? In Signs of the Times, the synod enters its final week with discussion on the synthesis report, and an Australian theologian addresses concerns some synod delegates have about tradition and the development of doctrine. Links from the show: Purchase By What Authority? Foundations for Understanding Authority in the Church, by Richard Gaillardetz Synod: Fr Ormond Rush's theological reflection on Synthesis Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a young adult, José Manuel de Urquidi had a lot of questions about faith but couldn’t find satisfying answers. He went to law school, opened a craft brewery and started a family, but it wasn’t until he started podcasting that he found his purpose as a digital missionary. José is a voting member in the synod on synodality at the Vatican this month and his advocacy for evangelizing–or rather listening–in digital spaces is turning heads. Leading up to the synod, he worked closely with the synod secretariat to get the word out on dozens of digital platforms. The result is the digital synod “continental” document, which centers previously unheard voices of those who are or feel excluded from the traditional structures of the Church. In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac break open the final thematic module of the synod that’s currently being discussed: Participation, governance and authority. Links Synod Diary: Will the synod change its members? Synod cardinal from Brazil: In the Amazon ‘everyone votes, except the bishop’ The digital synod continental document What’s on Tap? Lokita Mezcal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley turn their attention to the Middle East. Their guest is Olivier Poquillon, O.P., a French Dominican priest who, until recently, served as the pastor of a Catholic Church in Mosul, Iraq. That church was almost completely destroyed by ISIS in 2014 when the terrorist group took over one of the few remaining religiously diverse communities in the country. After ISIS was driven from the city, Father Poquillon returned to oversee the reconstruction of the church. He was recently named the director of the École Biblique in Jerusalem—the oldest biblical and archaeological research center in the Holy Land—and is on the commission for methodology for the Synod on Synodality here in Rome. Zac and Ashley talk to Father Poquillon about: The history of religious diversity and violence in Mesopotamia, the birthplace of the Abrahamic faiths What Pope Francis’ 2021 visit to Iraq meant to the people of Mosul What he heard from the Catholics living in the Middle East during their local synodal sessions In Signs of the Times, the hosts discuss the latest Catholic developments related to the war between Israel and Hamas, including the news that Pope Francis might know one of the Argentine victims of the Oct. 7 massacre. Next, they talk about the pope’s new apostolic exhortation on St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “the Little Flower.” Links from the show: Pope Francis: My friend could be a victim of Hamas attack Jerusalem cardinal offers himself in exchange for Israeli hostages Pope Francis publishes new apostolic exhortation on St. Thérèse of Lisieux What’s on tap? Chianti Classico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to this full bonus episode on Patreon! Ashley and Zac are joined by their colleagues, Sebastian Gomes and Colleen Dulle to break down the curious media strategy around the Vatican's synod on synodality. Synod members are "fasting" from public speaking after Pope Francis decried what he perceived to be distorted media narratives around previous synods. But this media blackout strategy brings very real risks. Support Jesuitical and access bonus content–including this full episode–on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley and Zac get schooled in social justice from a Latin American perspective. Emilce Cuda, the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the highest ranking lay woman working in the Vatican, joins the podcast to explain how “el pueblo”—ordinary, working class people—are at the forefront of a burgeoning synodal church. They also discuss: Populism in Latin America versus North America Pope Francis’ vision for a church that does social justice What it’s like working as a lay woman in the Vatican In Signs of the Times, the hosts share updates about the synod on synodality, including some of the hot topics emerging from inside the hall: concern for the poor, the environment, welcoming marginalized groups including women and LGBT Catholics, formation and a lot more. They also discuss Pope Francis’ remarks concerning the terrorist attack on Israel last Saturday. What’s on tap: Malbec (from Argentina!) Links: Cardinal Tobin at the synod: the church is ‘most beautiful when the doors are open’ Pope Francis calls for end to conflict in Israel and Gaza: ‘Every war is a defeat’ Israel condemns Jerusalem Christian churches over ‘immoral linguistic ambiguity’ in statement on Hamas attack Pope Francis calls for ‘the immediate release’ of all hostages taken by Hamas, expresses concern for Gaza civilians America’s synod coverage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The synod on synodality learned a lot from the young people who attended the youth synod in 2018, says Julian Paparella, who was 25 years old when he addressed hundreds of bishops in that assembly. Now studying in Rome, he joins Zac and Ashley to shed light on the dynamic at work inside synods and how the process has evolved over the past five years to truly listen to lay—and especially younger—people. They also discuss: The young people’s call in 2018 for greater inclusion of women in the church The balance between learning synodality and tackling the hot-button issues that matter to many people who feel excluded from the church How conversion happens inside a synod among the participants In Signs of the Times, the part of the show where the hosts sift through Catholic news of the week, the hosts discuss the complicated process of the discussions in the synod on synodality. Links Julian Paparella’s Synodal Intervention America’s synod coverage What’s on Tap? Birra Moretti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello from Rome! Ashley and Zac are joined by their colleague Gerard O’Connell, a journalist who has covered the Vatican since 1985. They bring questions from listeners about the Synod on Synodality, which began this week: How will the discussions inside the synod hall work? How will the synod deal with internal polarization? What will determine the success of this synod? They also discuss: The changes that Pope Francis has brought to the synod, making it more open and inclusive. How to listen and remain open to the Holy Spirit. Lay involvement in the synod, especially of women and young people. Links from the Show Analysis: The synod is not Vatican III. It’s Pope Francis’ implementation of Vatican II. America’s synod coverage What’s on Tap? Falanghina (Italian white wine) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are joined by Chris Hadley, S.J., to talk about the oft-overshadowed third person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. Father Hadley, an associate professor of systematic theology at Santa Clara University, uses his expertise in pneumatology to guide us through a great discussion about: How Catholics understand the Spirit, from biblical times to today Signs of the Holy Spirit at work in the world How Catholics can open themselves to the Holy Spirit—at the Synod and beyond In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley announce that they will travel to Rome to cover the Synod on Synodality, which is shaping up to be the biggest church event since Vatican II. Jesuitical will cover the broader themes at the synod and welcome guests from around the world to share their insight and experience. They will be recording twice a week, with some episodes exclusive to Patreon, so subscribe for all of our coverage. Links from the Show Christopher M. Hadley, S.J. America’s synod coverage plans What’s on Tap? Old-Fashioneds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices