In the twilight of first-century Rome, the early papacy emerges as a historical mystery. This episode examines the contested evidence surrounding Peter's immediate successors – Linus, Anacletus, and Clement – whose leadership established the foundations of papal succession amid persecution and uncertainty. Archaeological discoveries, contradictory ancient lists, and later hagiographies reveal both the fragility and resilience of Christianity's earliest leadership structure as it evolved from cha...
Jul 06, 2025•19 min
Could the Church finally name a patron saint for baseball? Pope Leo XIV, a devoted White Sox fan, might be the man to do it—and Blessed Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus and an early baseball standout, is a top candidate. We explore McGivney’s deep ties to the sport, from seminary box scores to charitable Little League fields, and what it would take to canonize him. Plus, the linguistic misfire that nearly sparked a medieval schism—and what it means for Pope Leo today. Get the...
Jul 03, 2025•7 min
As Pope Leo XIV settles into his pontificate, Vatican watchers are asking: will he complete the unfinished writings Pope Francis left behind? From a planned apostolic exhortation on child protection to a major document on poverty, these projects could define Leo's early papacy. Meanwhile, we explore how Leo is continuing Francis's catechesis style—and how AI deepfakes and fake Facebook accounts are already complicating his public image. Get the show without ads. Five bucks. For Apple users, hit ...
Jul 02, 2025•8 min
A decades-old tradition returns as Pope Leo revives the papal summer retreat to Castel Gandolfo. We preview what to expect—and share the Pope’s advice to new priests about humility, service, and true success. Get the show without ads. Five bucks. For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple Podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.
Jul 01, 2025•9 min
onathan Roumie, star of The Chosen, shares a heartfelt moment with Pope Leo. Plus: the debate over the Latin Mass heats up as Cardinal Burke asks the Pope to reverse restrictions. Get the show without ads. Five bucks. For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple Podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.
Jun 30, 2025•7 min
Pope Leo lays out bold expectations for bishops worldwide—reaffirming celibacy, demanding pastoral integrity, and confronting abuse. Then, in a viral moment, the Pope takes a hit… from a flying AS Roma scarf. Get the show without ads. Five bucks. For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple Podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.
Jun 29, 2025•7 min
Pope Leo delivers an impassioned appeal for peace amid the Israel-Iran conflict, denounces violence in Syria, and offers comfort to Christians across the Middle East. Plus: details on the ancient pallium tradition revived by the Pope this Sunday. Get the show without ads. Five bucks. For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple Podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.
Jun 28, 2025•8 min
During Rome’s Corpus Christi celebrations, Pope Leo delivered a stirring homily urging Christians to be living witnesses of Jesus’s love through acts of sharing and generosity. Highlighting the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the Pope emphasized compassion over greed, spiritual nourishment, and the call to serve amid today’s global inequalities. Thousands joined his solemn procession through the streets of Rome. To become a premium subscriber (no ads and no feed drops) visit caloroga.com/plus ...
Jun 27, 2025•7 min
Actor Ralph Fiennes learns Pope Leo screened his thriller Conclave for real-life conclave tips, sparking the star’s questions about the pontiff’s movie night. Meanwhile, Leo honors Renaissance composer Palestrina with a choral gala and commemorative Vatican stamp, praising polyphony as a model of spiritual unity. And back in Dolton, Illinois, the auction of the future pope’s 1,050-sq-ft boyhood house is pushed to July 17 as the village scrambles to secure funds and landmark status for the modest...
Jun 26, 2025•7 min
The genealogical connection between Pope Leo and music star Madonna was uncovered through collaborative research by The New York Times, working alongside American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami. The research traced both sides of Pope Leo's family tree, revealing that he and Madonna share a common Canadian ancestor named Louis Boucher de Grandpre, who was born in Trois Rivières, Quebec. This distant family connection places them among a remarkable group of Canadian descended rela...
Jun 25, 2025•7 min
When Pope Leo first appeared on the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica following his election on May eighth, observers of Vatican fashion immediately noticed significant changes. The simple white cassock and silver cross that had characterized Pope Francis were replaced with more elaborate traditional vestments including a red satin shoulder cape called a mozzetta, a burgundy stole decorated with gold embroidery, and a golden cross suspended from a double strand of silken gold cord. Throu...
Jun 24, 2025•8 min
When U.S. bombs level three Iranian nuclear sites, Pope Leo’s call for dialogue suddenly looks prophetic. In a fiery Angelus the pontiff denounces “armed victories,” echoes the UN’s alarm, and urges world leaders to halt a spiral toward catastrophe. He then pivots to church-wide accountability, backing journalist Paola Ugaz’s abuse exposé, and reminds 68 nations that AI must serve people, not replace them. From nuclear brinkmanship to clerical reckoning and the ethics of algorithms, this episode...
Jun 23, 2025•7 min
Catholic women across the world are watching Pope Leo's early papacy with renewed hope for the possibility of becoming ordained deacons. After years of advocacy and prayer, these women see potential for historic change in a church tradition that has restricted the diaconate to men for centuries. The optimism stems from recent Vatican documents that suggest openness to expanding diaconal ministry. A document approved under Pope Francis specifically states that no reason or impediment should preve...
Jun 22, 2025•7 min
Pope Leo has become an unexpected fashion influencer, and it all started with his love for baseball. The pontiff's well documented passion for the Chicago White Sox reached new heights last week when he was photographed at the Vatican wearing a White Sox baseball cap alongside his traditional white papal robes. To become a premium subscriber (no ads and no feed drops) visit caloroga.com/plus . For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spo...
Jun 21, 2025•8 min
A stunning genealogical discovery reveals Pope Leo’s family connections to some of the world’s biggest entertainers, including Madonna and Justin Bieber. Tracing their roots to a common Canadian ancestor, the Pope’s family tree includes icons from multiple fields. Join us as we explore the unexpected intersections of papal lineage and pop culture, and what this new revelation means for the modern papacy.To become a premium subscriber (no ads and no feed drops) visit caloroga.com/plus. For Apple ...
Jun 20, 2025•9 min
In a powerful address to papal representatives, Pope Leo reiterates the Church's unwavering commitment to religious freedom and unity. With a focus on the universal mission of the Vatican, Pope Leo urges his diplomatic corps to serve as the "eyes of Peter" in promoting human dignity and building relationships across nations. A deep reflection on the intersection of faith and diplomacy, this address sets the tone for the Holy See’s global vision.To become a premium subscriber (no ads and no feed ...
Jun 19, 2025•7 min
The Pope noted how sport has played significant roles in the lives of many modern saints, both as personal discipline and means of evangelization. He mentioned Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron saint of athletes, who will be canonized this September seventh. Frassati's luminous life reminds us that just as no one is born a champion, no one is born a saint. Daily training in love brings us closer to final victory and enables us to help build a new world. To become a premium subscriber (no ads...
Jun 18, 2025•8 min
Oscar winning actor Al Pacino had a historic meeting with Pope Leo on Monday at Vatican City. This marked the very first time that America's pontiff has held an official audience with a Hollywood celebrity. To become a premium subscriber (no ads and no feed drops) visit caloroga.com/plus. For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. You also get 25+ other shows on the network ad-free!...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min
Pope Leo marks a milestone in his papacy with the announcement of the canonization of two young saints, Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Set for September 7, this joint canonization highlights the diverse paths to sainthood. In a momentous address, Pope Leo also reveals other anticipated canonizations, including martyrs and laypeople. Explore the profound significance of these canonizations and the future of saintly recognition in the Catholic Church.To become a premium su...
Jun 16, 2025•11 min
On Father’s Day, Pope Leo offers a heartfelt message about the sacred role of fatherhood, shaped by his own memories and spiritual insights. Drawing from personal conversations with his dad and his years in ministry, the pontiff challenges fathers to raise their children with integrity and love. Plus: Meet Mildred Camacho—the Peruvian woman who can proudly say the Pope is her godfather. Their lifelong bond reveals the deeply human side of the first American pontiff. To become a premium subscribe...
Jun 15, 2025•8 min
Pope Leo may be in Rome, but Chicago is throwing him the party of the year at Rate Field. As thousands gather to honor their hometown hero, we revisit the now-iconic moment he was spotted at the 2005 World Series—an image that has become near-mythic. From thin-crust pizza to goat stew and a hot dog without ketchup, Pope Leo’s culinary tastes tell the story of a South Side kid turned global shepherd. And yes, there’s even a mural blessing fans near Section 140. To become a premium subscriber (no ...
Jun 14, 2025•10 min
Centuries after the brutal fall of the Knights Templar on a Friday the 13th, Pope Leo revisits their legacy in light of his own anti-corruption stance and commitment to religious justice. We explore the eerie historical roots of the superstition and how Leo’s calls for transparency and protection of the vulnerable echo through history. Plus: Mexico formally invites Pope Leo to visit—what could that trip mean for U.S.-Mexico Catholic ties and immigration diplomacy? To become a premium subscriber ...
Jun 13, 2025•6 min
Pope Leo draws inspiration from the blind beggar Bartimaeus, urging the faithful to embrace vulnerability and cry out for healing in times of despair. His moving message, delivered at the General Audience, connects spiritual low points to Christ’s redemptive love. Later, the pontiff makes a bold foreign policy move by appointing Bishop Lin Yuntuan in China under the Vatican’s contested 2018 agreement with Beijing. What does this mean for underground Catholics and the future of Sino-Vatican diplo...
Jun 12, 2025•8 min
Pope Leo emphasizes the need for a unified Easter date among Christian denominations, echoing a centuries-old goal first addressed by the Council of Nicaea. His message for ecumenical dialogue resonates globally, showing progress toward greater Christian unity. Meanwhile, a new proposal in Springfield suggests commemorative license plates to fund a statue honoring Pope Leo at the Illinois statehouse, celebrating his remarkable rise to the papacy. Get ready for our new series Crown and Controvers...
Jun 11, 2025•8 min
Pope Leo’s upcoming virtual message to thousands at Rate Field in Chicago has generated overwhelming excitement, selling out tickets in minutes. His address will coincide with a grand military parade in Washington, highlighting contrasting expressions of power—spiritual guidance versus military might. Pope Leo’s commitment to human dignity and migration continues to challenge political narratives, while his ongoing focus on social justice resonates with global audiences. Get ready for our new se...
Jun 10, 2025•10 min
For nearly 70 years, papal succession has followed a predictable rhythm: revolutionary disruptors followed by steady caretakers. From John XXIII's Vatican II bombshell to Francis's field hospital church, each pope has either shaken up the system or maintained the status quo. Now Pope Leo XIV—the Villanova math major turned pontiff—faces the ultimate question: Will he be Francis's faithful caretaker or chart his own disruptive course? We trace the fascinating pattern of papal personalities and ex...
Jun 09, 2025•12 min
Sources indicate that senior Vatican State Department personnel have begun examining the practical ramifications of maintaining dual citizenship. These officials have reportedly initiated discussions about whether the pontiff should consider relinquishing his American passport.The ultimate authority for such a decision rests solely with Pope Leo. However, any formal renunciation would carry profound international implications. Despite potentially valid practical motivations, such an action would...
Jun 08, 2025•11 min
In Chicago, churches have filled up. Will the enthusiasm last for the Chicago Pope? Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus . No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!...
Jun 07, 2025•9 min
The Chicago White Sox may be dead last in the American League, but they've just gained the most powerful fan in the world. After Pope Leo XIV revealed his allegiance to Chicago's struggling baseball team, the White Sox are dreaming big—envisioning Vatican City as their newest farm system and St. Peter's Square as a potential ballpark. From Swiss Guard tryouts to gelato concessions, we explore this divine partnership between America's most disappointing team and the Holy See. Plus: Bishop appoint...
Jun 06, 2025•10 min
Is that really Pope Leo in that rap photo? (No.) Is that 42-minute YouTube sermon actually him? (Also no.) In today’s episode, we unpack the rise of papal deepfakes and how AI is already warping Catholic media. We’ll explain what’s real, what’s not, and how the Church is responding. Plus, Pope Leo’s bold thoughts on artificial intelligence, why Vox is into it, and why Slate is mourning the loss of the Vatican’s hilariously outdated website. You’ll laugh, you’ll worry, you’ll maybe miss beige par...
Jun 05, 2025•10 min
