Podcast
Jesuitical
Hosted by America Media · EN
Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?
24episodes
Episodes
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Should the church encourage Catholic influencers?
2d ago00:47:00Tap to summarizeOn this bonus episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with two digital evangelization experts who helped create the Vatican’s study group report on the digital environment as part of the Synod on Synodality. Kim Daniels directs the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, and José Manuel de Urquidi runs the Evangelization Lab. Both were synod delegates, along with then-Cardinal Robert Prevost (the future Pope Leo XIV), at the global sessions of the synod in Rome in 2023 and 2024. They discuss: 00:00 What are the Synod Study Groups? 7:10 How Pope Leo has shaped synodality 15:16 How influencers challenge church jurisdiction 28:30 Accompanying digital evangelizers 33:40 Converting to real communities Links: Study Group 3’s final report on the Digital Environment The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life Evangelization Lab Coverage of Pope Leo’s encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Support Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pope Leo's A.I. encyclical: Top takeaways from “Magnifica Humanitas”
1w ago00:41:58Tap to summarizeThis week on Jesuitical: A feed drop of this week's special “Inside the Vatican” roundtable, a discussion of “Magnifica Humanitas,” Pope Leo’s groundbreaking first encyclical on protecting the human person in the age of artificial intelligence. Host Colleen Dulle sits down with her co-host and senior Vatican correspondent, Gerard O’Connell, as well as America’s president and editor in chief, Sam Sawyer, S.J. They discuss the document’s key takeaways, how it is being received in Silicon Valley, Pope Leo’s challenge for every Catholic in the A.I. age and much more. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:11 Pope Leo present for the launch of his own encyclical 4:21 How the encyclical is being received by the tech community 8:43 Magnifica Humanitas on the growth of Catholic social teaching 13:16 Acknowledging the Church’s role in slavery 15:53 Exploring Pope Leo’s ecclesiology 22:30 Leo’s concrete recommendations for A.I. 32:30 How lay people can deal with A.I. 37:40 Outro Links: Read “Magnifica Humanitas” Pope Leo’s first encyclical tackles A.I., power and human dignity Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for the Catholic Church’s role in legitimizing slavery Why Pope Leo’s new encyclical quotes Gandalf: Literary images of hope and faith in ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ A capitalist (priest) reads ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Catholics became obsessed with sex (and rules)
2w ago00:47:20Tap to summarizeThis week on the “Jesuitical” podcast, Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis speak to theologian and legal scholar Cathleen Kaveny about why Catholics seem obsessed with questions of sexual morality. They were prompted to dig into the historical development of Catholic sexual ethics after Pope Leo said in a press conference, “We tend to think that when the church is talking about morality, that the only issue of morality is sexual. And in reality, I believe there are much greater, more important issues…” 00:00 Leo's comments on sexual morality 4:08 What Scripture says 6:05 How Catholic teaching developed 9:30 What is "natural law"? 16:37 How Catholics became obsessed with sex 20:26 JPII's "theology of the body" 24:41 Sex and justice 28:50 Sex, confession and salvation 36:35 A healthy approach to sex Links: Pope Leo speaks on same-sex blessings, migration and more on plane back to Rome Heaven and hell in post-Vatican II Catholicism: How to move from fear to love You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Support Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Catholic? You need to know Father Henri Nouwen
3w ago01:08:46Tap to summarizeThis week, Jesuitical co-host Ashley McKinless and producer Sebastian Gomes speak to Michael W. Higgins about the spiritual master, Father Henri Nouwen (1932-1996). They explore Nouwen’s “wounded healer” approach to ministry, his brokenness and vulnerability, and his impact on contemporary Catholic thought. In “Signs of the Times,” Ashley and Zac discuss Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Pope Leo, plans for a border wall through a pilgrimage site, a cosmetics mogul turned Catholic priest, and when customer service hung up on Pope Leo. 00:00 Who is Henri Nouwen? 2:51 Pope Leo meets Marco Rubio 7:42 A border wall through a pilgrimage site? 10:40 A cosmetics mogul turned Catholic priest 12:39 Customer service hangs up on Pope Leo 15:40 You need to know Henri Nouwen 18:31 Henri Nouwen was an enigma 25:14 Nouwen's writings 31:23 How Nouwen understood priesthood 36:54 Intimacy, celibacy and homosexuality 41:17 Nouwen, the wounded healer 44:52 Good ministry isn't performative 48:39 How Nouwen prayed 58:00 Faith sharing: overcoming performative piety Links: Pope Leo XIV’s First Year Pope Leo meets with Marco Rubio amid Trump’s personal attacks Catholic diocese fights Trump administration plan to seize pilgrimage site for border wall Cosmetics millionaire turned seminarian, he’d give fortune ‘back a million times’ for Jesus Story of customer service agent hanging up on Leo shows pope’s ‘normal’ side "Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen" 2026 Henri Nouwen Conference: "Longing for Home: The Prophetic Witness of Henri Nouwen in a Wounded World" Henri Nouwen Society Henri Nouwen: How to (actually) pray without ceasing The Monk and The Cripple by Henri Nouwen, 1980 Podcast Deep Dive: The first American pope—how it happened and what it means Performative piety: Why liturgy is not a space for self-expression Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pope Leo XIV: Is he changing the papacy or restoring order?
4w ago00:38:11Tap to summarizeJesuitical’s co-host Zac Davis is joined by America's Vatican correspondent, Colleen Dulle, and executive editor Sebastian Gomes to assess the first year of Pope Leo XIV’s ministry as Bishop of Rome. They discuss Leo’s style, priorities and to what degree is continuing Pope Francis’ reforming agenda. 00:00 Pope Leo's first year 1:56 Can Pope Leo be claimed by the left or the right? 5:45 Is Pope Leo continuing Pope Francis' agenda? 13:30 Pope Leo's style 19:42 Women and sexuality 23:18 Is church unity the priority? 27:45 Pope Leo's appeals for peace Links: Pope Leo at year one: The progress of an American pope Pope Leo’s powerful lesson in vulnerable leadership Trump, Pope Leo, William F. Buckley and John XXIII: An overview of Popes and Politics in America Pope Leo remembers ‘the great gift’ of Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death Pope Leo denounces those who use the name God for military gain You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pope Leo on same-sex blessings; and is Easter harder than Lent?
Apr 3000:54:33Tap to summarizeThis week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac talk to Laura Kelly Fanucci, author of Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection. Together, they discuss the tendency among Christians to overlook the 50-day Easter season, as well as Laura’s personal experiences and struggles practicing resurrection. In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac speak with James Martin, S.J., editor at large for America, to unpack Pope Leo’s recent comments about blessings for same-sex couples and the church’s teaching on sexual morality. And in As One Friend Speaks to Another, Ashley shares her experience taking on a new role at America and the graces that it has brought her. 00:00 Is Easter harder than Lent? 2:05 German bishops to bless same-sex couples 6:00 How Pope Leo responded 9:20 Church unity and sexual morality 12:43 Is the church at an impasse? 15:20 Is the Easter season too long? 18:34 How to practice Easter-ing 26:29 Resurrection stories to learn from 30:57 Resurrecting Pentecost 34:52 Uniting suffering to Christ 41:13 Grief, scars and resurrection in Minneapolis 48:20 Faith sharing Links Order Laura’s new book, Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection Pope Leo speaks on same-sex blessings, migration and more on plane back to Rome Remarks on sexual ethics highlight Pope Leo’s pastoral priorities You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Is the Gen-Z religious revival real or hype?
Apr 2301:10:20Tap to summarizeThis week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Ryan Burge, author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack and the new book, The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us. They discuss the polarization of U.S. Christianity and the supposed Gen-Z “religious revival.” In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss some highlights from Pope Leo’s trip to Africa; what Pope Leo called the not-exactly-accurate media narrative around him and President Trump; and the first anniversary of Pope Francis’ death. 00:00 A Gen-Z religious revival? 3:38 Highlights of Pope Leo's trip to Africa 10:05 VP Vance questions Pope Leo's theology 20:37 Remembering Pope Francis 22:50 Moderate Christianity is vanishing 25:49 U.S. religion is coded "conservative" 34:54 Catholic demographic trends 37:15 Political implications 40:53 Are young people going back to church? 48:18 Winner churches 52:56 Gen-Z religious trads 1:04:08 Faith Sharing: Pope Francis' humble tomb Links: Order Ryan’s book, The Vanishing Church Graphs about Religion Pope Leo walks in the footsteps of St. Augustine in Hippo Pope Leo denounces those who use the name God for military gain Pope Leo named one of Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2026’ Pope Leo remembers ‘the great gift’ of Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his death You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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President Trump won’t win his battle with Pope Leo
Apr 1600:59:17Tap to summarizeThis week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with John Carr, founder of Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. In “Signs of the Times,” a cross-promotion of America’s roundtable discussion between Ashley, Sam Sawyer, S.J., the president and editor in chief, and Colleen Dulle, Vatican correspondent and co-host of “Inside the Vatican,” on President Trump’s unprecedented social media attack on Pope Leo XIV. 00:00 President Trump's words for Pope Leo 1:55 Pope Leo's criticism of war 3:14 Pope Leo's response to Trump 5:26 U.S. Bishops respond to Trump 6:22 Reactions to Trump's tirade 8:03 Did Trump influence Leo's election? 11:00 Don't take the President's bait 14:40 Impact on U.S.-Vatican relations 19:10 John Carr wanted to be a priest and a senator 21:25 Catholic teaching on mass deportations 30:32 Catholic social teaching is a long, reliable tradition 37:05 Is social justice redeemable? 47:10 How money influences Catholic priorities 50:13 First impressions of Pope Leo Links for further reading: John Carr: Lessons from 50 years at the intersection of Catholic social teaching and public life Reactions: President Trump lashes out at Pope Leo XIV Trump is trying to distract us from Pope Leo’s calls for peace. Don’t take the bait. Trump lambasts Pope Leo: ‘I’m not a fan.’ You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pope Leo’s first Holy Week and Easter in a world at war
Apr 901:06:11Tap to summarizeThis week on a special crossover episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Colleen Dulle, host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, speak with Gerard O’Connell, America’s senior Vatican correspondent, and his wife Elisabetta Piqué about co-writing The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis. In “Signs of the Times,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian break down Pope Leo’s first Holy Week and how it was shaped by the conflict between the United States and Iran. They also discuss astronaut Victor Glover, the pilot of the Artemis II mission, and his Easter message from space. Finally, in “As One Friend Speaks to Another,” Ashley and Sebastian talk about how the death and resurrection of Christ can help us understand and live through the extremes of this past week’s news—the threat of Iran’s total destruction and the new heights reached by humanity in space. Links: The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, by Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Pique Excerpt: Behind the scenes of Pope Leo XIV’s election Pope Leo praises U.S.-Iran ceasefire as ‘sign of genuine hope,’ presses for peace Pope Leo: Trump’s threat to destroy Iran ‘truly unacceptable’ What photos from the Artemis II astronauts say to us in a time of war Artemis astronaut: Moon mission inspires wonder, prayer and unity You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting “Jesuitical” by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Catholic women react to the Vatican’s report on women’s leadership
Apr 200:40:51Tap to summarizeIn March 2026, the Vatican’s doctrine office released its final report on women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Catholic Church. The report brings to a close the two-year work of Study Group 5, which, as part of the Synod on Synodality, was tasked with studying women’s ministries and leadership. In this special roundtable conversation, editors at America magazine discuss the report’s content and proposals, and ask if the document changes the status quo for women in the Catholic Church. Featuring: Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of the “Jesuitical” podcast Kerry Weber, executive editor Colleen Dulle, Vatican correspondent and co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast Molly Cahill, associate editor 0:00 The Vatican’s final report on women and ministry 4:23 Women’s reactions to the report 11:28 New ministries for women? 20:05 The horizons and limits of women’s authority 30:30 Will women be involved in decision-making? Links: The final synod report on women: what it says, what it means and what’s next Where the women deacons question stands at the Vatican Full Report of Study Group 5 on “The Participation of Women in the Life and Leadership of the Church” Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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