This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Christopher White, the former Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter. Next month, Chris will start a new position as the associate director for strategic engagement and a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. Chris’s forthcoming book is, Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy. Zac, Ashley and Chris discuss: - Chris’s background as a Vatican repor...
Jun 27, 2025•59 min
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are thrilled to speak with their friend and colleague Father James Martin about his new podcast, “The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.,” which launched this week. We then share Jim’s conversation with actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg. Whoopi is known for playing a larger-than-life nun in “Sister Act,” but did you know she was also raised Catholic and educated by nuns until the eighth grade? Jim and Whoopi talk about her struggles with organiz...
Jun 20, 2025•46 min
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley talk with U.S. Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat who has served as a senator from Delaware since 2010. Zac, Ashley and Senator Coons discuss: How the senator’s Protestant upbringing and the example of his parents shaped his perspective on service Why Democrats need to be more open about their faith in the public arena How Senator Coons feels about having the first American pope In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the recent removal of mosaics by ...
Jun 13, 2025•46 min
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley share a live interview recorded at 6ABC studios in Philadelphia, Pa., featuring prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Robert Hagan, O.S.A. Father Rob discusses the case for the canonization of Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., an Augustinan friar who was the first quadriplegic ordained in the Catholic Church and whose life—according to Father Rob—was a miracle. Zac, Ashley and Father Rob discuss: Father Rob’s vocation story and why Father Bil...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Joining Zac and Ashley on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” is Jamie Baxter, Founder & CEO of Exodus 90. The program, which helps men to strengthen their faith through prayer, asceticism and fraternity, faced some early skepticism from the Church—and the Jesuitical team—that led to valuable innovation. Zac, Ashley and Jamie discuss: Jamie’s conversion story, going to seminary and ultimately discerning out How the idea for Exodus 90 originated and the challenge of being an entrepreneur in t...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac are joined by Mark Francis, C.S.V., who was a seminary classmate of Pope Leo (then known as Bob Prevost) at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in the late 1970s. Father Mark is the provincial of the Chicago province of the Viatorian community, and he describes Pope Leo as a thoughtful and sensitive leader—even in their seminary days. Zac, Ashley, and Fr. Mark discuss: Pope Leo’s formation at C.T.U., where he learned alongside women and en...
May 23, 2025•56 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the first days of Leo XIV’s historic papacy. Today, Pope Leo met with members of the Vatican press corps and the thousands of other media in Rome covering his election, telling them to be peacemakers and calling for the release of all imprisoned journalists. On our final episode recorded in Rome, the team discusses: How Pope Leo related to the media, and the importance of his message of peace and truth...
May 12, 2025•33 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, the team discusses the Augustinian (and American) roots of Pope Leo XIV. They discuss: Pope Leo XIV is an alum of Villanova University. What’s the atmosphere is like on campus right now? The Augustinian roots of Pope Leo: the intellectual, spiritual and social principles that will lead his ministry How poverty, chastity and obedience are a path to freedom and joy Subscribe to America to get our extensive coverage of the historic el...
May 11, 2025•23 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O'Connell speaks to Colleen Dulle and Sam Sawyer, SJ about the unexpectedly quick election of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on the fourth ballot in the conclave. They discuss: What the speedy election tell us about the conclave? Why a pope from the U.S. was thought to be "impossible", and why it happened anyway. Analyzing Leo XIV's first address to the world and homily to the cardinals. Who was Leo X...
May 09, 2025•25 min
Welcome to the America magazine conclave podcast. We are thrilled to join the church in welcoming Pope Leo XIV! Our team was just in St. Peter’s Square for the historic election, and we’re here with first reactions and some important details about the life and ministry of the missionary Augustinian friar turned pope: the now former-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost. Links from the show: Robert Francis Prevost elected first American pope Peru rejoices for their former bishop: Pope Leo XIV Prepare to be ...
May 08, 2025•21 min
Do we really trust the Holy Spirit to guide the election of a pope? What does that trust feel like? Are we hopeful or fearful for what is to come? Why does it feel so hard to pray in Rome sometimes? The cardinals have asked for our prayers repeatedly in the run-up to the conclave. While they are sequestered away on the second day of conclave, Sebastian Gomes, Ashley McKinless, Zac Davis and J.D. Long García talk about what their prayer has been like while covering the lead-up to the conclave. Re...
May 08, 2025•24 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: The protocols being followed by the cardinals in conclave The “habemus papam” moment, what the pope wears and other telling symbolic gestures What happens in the days immediately following the election of a pope? This episode features: Sam Sawyer, S.J., America’s editor in chief Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “I...
May 07, 2025•43 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses the frontrunners entering the conclave, and explains how the voting could quickly confirm papabile lists or pivot to an unexpected candidate. Featuring: Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History Colleen Dulle, co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast Sam Sawyer, S.J., editor in chief of Ameri...
May 06, 2025•33 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: Final preparations for the conclave, including additional meetings for the cardinals President Trump’s A.I. pope image Covering the conclave for secular media, with NPR’s Scott Detrow The quirky procedures and protocols of the conclave, with Religion News Service’s Thomas Reese, S.J. This episode features: Ashley McK...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: The security measures being taken at Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinal electors will stay during the conclave, including lock inspections and sealed windows The history and recent rise of betting on who will be the next pope, as well as Fantasy Football-style apps for building your conclave team The influence of t...
May 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: The latest conclave news, including the installation of the chimney of the roof of the Sistine Chapel and how many cardinals have arrived in Rome The cardinals have asked Catholics to pray for them and the conclave. What exactly should we be praying for? And should we be scandalized by the intermingling of politics a...
May 02, 2025•43 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: Cardinal Beniamino Stella’s stunning attack on Pope Francis in Wednesday’s general congregation meeting of the College of Cardinals The “election” of a new bishop in mainland China—while the chair of St. Peter is empty Papabile: How do conclave watchers come up with their lists of the next pope (and should we trust t...
May 01, 2025•39 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: President Donald Trump’s choice for pope The latest from the cardinal pre-conclave meetings The question: Will the next pope be an Italian? The unfinished business of Pope Francis’ papacy, including: synodality, fighting sexual abuse, reforming Vatican governance and an ecumenical trip to Turkey on the anniversary of...
Apr 30, 2025•36 min
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. In today’s episode, the team discusses: - The controversial presence at the pre-conclave meetings of Cardinal Becciu, convicted of embezzlement, and Cardinal Cipriani, who was sanctioned by the Vatican for alleged sexual abuse - The topics emerging in the cardinals’ secret meetings - How “unity” and “clarity” are becoming buzzwords for reversing Francis’ style of go...
Apr 29, 2025•56 min
America Magazine’s editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope. As part of the coverage, the team is producing a new podcast episode every day and releasing it on Inside the Vatican and Jesuitical. In today’s episode, the team discusses: - The funeral of Pope Francis - The cardinal’s decision to start the conclave on May 7 - The College of Cardinals by the numbers - How the conclave is (and isn’t) a referendum on Pope Francis’ pontificate Hosted by Sebastian Go...
Apr 28, 2025•38 min
On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac are joined by America magazine’s editor in chief, Sam Sawyer, S.J., and America editor at large James Martin, S.J., to discuss the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 in the early morning of April 21, 2025. He was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope. Zac, Ashley, Sam and Jim discuss: - Their personal encounters with the pope and how Francis impacted their priesthoods, careers and prayer life - P...
Apr 23, 2025•56 min
On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Sam Sorich, an award-winning filmmaker teaching film production at John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, California. His latest film, which you can watch on YouTube, is “Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard.” Zac, Ashley and Sam discuss: - How Sam’s love of filmmaking and faith led him to make a documentary on the life and work of philosopher René Girard - Mimetic desire, Girard’s central theory of huma...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Joining Zac and Ashley on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” is Kerry Robinson, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, the domestic humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church in the United States. Kerry was recently awarded the Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor bestowed exclusively on American Catholics. Zac, Ashley and Kerry discuss: - Kerry’s family history of serving the Catholic Church - The importance of having more women in leadership positions in th...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Joining Zac and Ashley on this episode of “Jesuitical” recorded in Douglaston, N.Y., is Msgr. Robert Sarno, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a former official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. With 38 years of experience in overseeing the process of canonization and beatification of saints, Monsignor Sarno offers a deep dive into the world of Catholic relics, including their history, hierarchy and controversy. Zac, Ashley and Monsignor Sarno discuss: - How the devotion to relics ...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min
On this Jubilee Year of Hope-themed episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Father Ramil Fajardo, a tribunal judge in the Archdiocese of Chicago, about indulgences: What are they? Where did they come from? And how are they practiced today? Zac, Ashley and Father Ramil discuss: - The evolution of indulgences, from the early church through the Protestant Reformation to today - The four current grants of indulgences, which involve acts of faith, charity, penance and witness - How to appro...
Mar 21, 2025•52 min
On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley chat with Sofia Carozza, a developmental neuroscientist working in research and a co-host of “The Pilgrim Soul,” a Catholic podcast about the journey of faith in the modern world. Sofia is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Human Network Initiative at Harvard Medical School, where she uses computational modelling to study the role of the early-life environment in the development of the human brain. Zac, Ashley and Sofia discuss: - The brain as a ...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr
On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley chat with Kim Daniels, the director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University. Kim is a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, and served in the 2021-24 Synod on Synodality as an expert participant, as a member of the Synod Communications Commission, and as the coordinator of one of the 10 major Synod study groups, which focused on the church’s mission in the digital environment. Zac, Ashley and Kim...
Mar 07, 2025•57 min
After 21 days of hospitalization, Pope Francis sent a brief message of thanks that was played for those praying for him in St. Peter's Square the night of March 6. Read Gerard O'Connell's report on the message here. Visit americamagazine.org for the latest on Pope Francis' health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 06, 2025•3 min
On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley are joined by Sister Josephine Garrett, a sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a licensed counselor, host of the “Hope Stories” podcast and the author of the new book, Wilderness Within: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation. Presently a counselor in private practice, Sister Josephine earned a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2019. Prior to entering religious life, she ...
Feb 28, 2025•52 min
Joining Ashley and Zac to cover the cosmos on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” is Guy Consolmagno, S.J., the director of the Vatican Observatory and author of the new book, A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science. A research astronomer, physicist and Jesuit brother, he has served at the Vatican Observatory since 1993, and in 2015 Pope Francis appointed him director. He is the author of God’s Mechanics and co-author of Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Tur...
Feb 21, 2025•53 min
