Can the Catholic Church Quit the Culture Wars?
Apr 24, 2025•58 min
Episode description
On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat is joined by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and an editor of America Magazine, to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the challenges facing the next papacy.
- 02:20 The First Jesuit Pope
- 05:23 Google Translate and Exchanging Emails
- 06:05 The Visual Element of Francis’s Legacy
- 07:48 The Concrete Changes Made
- 16:19 Christian Sexual Ethics
- 25:22 The Church in the Modern World
- 27:14 What Kind of Leader Will the Next Pope Be?
- 31:57 The Latin Mass Controversy
- 34:54 What Draws People to Christianity?
- 39:21 What Holds Such a Diverse Church Together?
- 43:09 The Influence of the Pope and the Hierarchy
- 46:41 A Renewed Interest in Religion
- 48:30 The Church as a Field Hospital
- 49:13 What Father Martin Hopes to See in the Next Pope
- 49:59 Where Should the New Pope Go?
- 52:27 Who Will Be the Next Pope?
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
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