Register Radio

On this week's show Matthew Bunson and Shannon Mullen welcome back Edward Pentin to discuss Pope Leo XIV and the TLM controversy, and Jeffrey Bruno discusses the NEC and Eucharistic Pilgrimages.

Early last month, lawmakers in Washington state enacted a new law, set to take effect in late July, that will mandate Catholic priests to report child abuse they learn about in the context of confession — forcing priests to risk automatic excommunication from the Church for breaking the sacramental seal. What does this mean for the Church in the Northwest and across the country in other legislative hot spots? This week on RR we are joined by Register staff writer Jonah McKeown. And then, a month has passed since the election of Pope Leo XIV and Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl discusses how the new pontiff has settled in and what we can discern about his impending decisions.

The Bishop of Charlotte has postponed a plan to restrict the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) in his diocese after significant backlash, the latest development in a wide-reaching liturgical controversy that has engulfed western North Carolina and beyond. We are joined by Jonathan Liedl, Register Senior Editor for the latest.

Matthew Bunson and Shannon Mullen welcome this week's guest Zelda Caldwell, senior writer for the Register to discuss important topics related to Catholics and then host an editor's corner to discuss recent stories in the Register.

Dr. Matthew Bunson, Senior Vatican Analyst for the National Catholic Register Edward Pentin, and Vatican Editor for EWTN News Frank Rocca discuss the early days of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Vatican Editor for EWTN News Frank Rocca discuss the first week of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.

Our host, Dr. Matthew Bunson, VP and Editorial director for EWTN News is joined by Frank Rocca, Senior Vatican Analyst for EWTN News, and Hannah Brockhaus, Senior Vatican Correspondent for the Catholic News Agency, to discuss our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Senior Vatican Analyst for the National Catholic Register Edward Pentin discuss the funeral and legacy of Pope Francis.

Register Radio host Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses the death and legacy of Pope Francis with Senior Vatican Analyst for EWTN News Frank Rocca.

We are now only days away from the highly anticipated canonization of the first Millennial saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis, on April 27. Courtney Mares, Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency, joins us from the Eternal City. Across the US and even in secularizing Western Europe, this Lent had witnessed increases in conversions. We talk to Register correspondent Matt McDonald and Jane Tomaszewski, one of the newest members entering the Church.

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby on Lent and Holy Week and Register correspondent Solène Tadié on Coco Chanel and the Hungary Conference.

Should Catholics identify as “feminists?” That was the question posed to a panel of some of the most prominent female Catholic thinkers at a recent conference. The conference's organizer, Abigail Favale and Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl to tell us more. We are approaching the tenth anniversary of the deaths of the Ethiopian Martyrs at the hands of ISIS. We talk with Alberto Fernandez on the legacy of these martyrs for the faith.

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican last Sunday and is expected now to face two months of rest and recovery. Is this a new phase in his pontificate. This week on Register Radio, we talk to Frank Rocca, EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst. And, as we move closer to Holy Week, the Register has taken a long look at the Art of Holy Week. We are joined by Sister Mary Madeline Todd from Aquinas College and a contributor to our coverage.

Catholic business leaders and innovators are leaving their mark on the world of entrepreneurship. We talk to Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl and Register contributor James Day. And, as the country of Syria labors to establish order and peace in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime, Christians and religious minorities have been caught in the upheaval. We are joined by EWTN News Contributor Alberto Fernandez with analysis.

This week on Register Radio, Register contributor Fr. Jeffrey Kirby helps us to step into the “Mystery of Lent.” And Senior Vatican Analyst Frank Rocca gives an update on Pope Francis' health.

Pope Francis has been undergoing care and battling pneumonia now for some two weeks, even as Catholics and non—Catholics alike pray for his recovery. This week on Register Radio we are joined by EWTN Senior Vatican Analyst, Frank Rocca with the latest from Rome. And then, we hear from Register contributors Katie Warner and Debbie Cowden on how to get the most out of Lent.

The university of Notre Dame is facing criticism for the recent DEI declaration by its chief academic officer. Register senior editor, Jonathan Liedl, reports. And then, Register staff writer, Matthew McDonald, looks at JD Vance's claims about abortion and free speech in Scotland.

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders focusing on transgender ideology. What is the Catholic response to the executive orders? This week we are joined by Register contributor Jennifer Roback Morse to discuss Bishop Robert Barron's recent public assessment. And then, Register Senior Correspondent Edward Pentin talks to us about the deepening crisis of faith facing England.

Artificial Intelligence, AI, is emerging as one of the most influential technological developments in recent decades. What should Catholics think? This week on Register Radio we are joined by Courtney Mares, Rome correspondent for Catholic News Agency. And then, the Register has been taking a close look at Marriage and Courtship. Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl tells us what we found.

A conflict between the US bishops' conference and the Trump administration over immigration caught the media's attention. EWTN News contributor Alberto Fernandez gives us a broader, more global perspective on the Catholic Church and issues of migration. We take a look with Register columnist Susanna Spencer at how to preserve the biggest blessings of Catholic education.

A ceasefire began Jan. 19 between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza after 15 months of fighting. We bring you analysis of the latest developments in this tenuously calm moment in the Middle East. Then we discuss the historical highlights of President Donald Trump's first week back at the White House. And finally, we remember the anniversary of Roe v. Wade as we reflect on the ongoing quest to changes hearts and laws in favor of unborn human life.

Register writers Matthew McDonald and Shannon Mullen join us to discuss the L.A. wildfires and their impacts. Then Register senior writer Jonathan Liedl joins to discuss the new Milwaukee bishop and Notre Dame football's appearance in the National Championship game.

In a political earthquake in North America, Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada for the last nine years, has announced his resignation. What is his grim record when it comes to Catholics? We discuss this with Register senior writer Peter Laffin. A new archbishop for Washington DC arrives, and we hear about the significance of the archdiocese in the nation's capital from Register staff writer Matt McDonald.

This week on Register Radio we are joined by Teresa Tomeo to discuss the Jubilee and her new book, Italy's Shrines and Wonders. And then, Register Senior Writer Peter Laffin gives us a preview of 2025 for Catholics and political life.

As 2024 draws to an end we discuss what's happened this year at the Vatican and at home in the US. EWTN News' senior Vatican analyst Francis Rocca gives us a look back at papal trips, papal teachings and papal prayers of Pope Francis. Then, Register staff writer Peter Laffin walks us through the top events in the US Church this past year.

In the week before Christmas, Pope Francis made a visit to Corsica to talk about traditional popular piety. It's a fitting theme as Christians everywhere prepare to contemplate the Nativity of Jesus. Catholic News Agency's Hannah Brockhaus traveled with the pope and brings us a report. We also get a glimpse of Christmas preparations from a Catholic pastor and preview of Christmas homilies. We talk to Register contributor Father Dwight Longenecker.

This week the long rule of the Assad regime fell after insurgents entered the capital of Damascus and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. To help us understand the gravity of this historic event, EWTN News' Alberto Fernandez gives us insights particularly into what this moment means for Syrian Christians. Then, tis the season for holiday movies and music. We get a preview of some new faith-based flicks as well as some classic ones grounded in the true meaning of Christmas from Register staff writer Joseph Pronechen.

Legal analyst Andrea Picciotti-Bayer joins us with coverage of the Supreme Court case involving minors and sex-altering medical interventions. We're in the Advent season and the Register has published content that can help us prepare. Alyssa Murphy joins us with some highlights. Matthew McDonald joins us to discuss reviving the tradition of not eating meat on Fridays.

We talk with Courtney Mares on St. Peter's virtual reality and Jubilee experiences, and then Solene Tadie about the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

We look at the Register's Advent and Christmas guides to prepare for the season. Then, we turn to the hopes of ceasefire in Lebanon. With EWTN News contributing editor Alberto Fernandez, we get a glimpse of the conflict's effects on Christians. And finally, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Second Vatican Council's Lumen Gentium with Opus Dei priest Father Joseph Thomas.

The U.S. bishops have just concluded their annual fall assembly. The Register's editor in chief Shannon Mullen and senior editor Jonathan Liedl bring us a recap of important takeaways. Then, we turn to again to teasing out the 2024 election results. This time we talk about how President-elect Trump is already laying the groundwork for his administration as the Democrats grabble with big losses.

We talk with Shannon Mullen and Peter Laffin to discuss the 2024 US Presidential Election results and then we talk with Frank Rocca to discuss the relationship between Pope Francis and President-Elect Donald Trump.

As U.S. Election Day nears, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their last pitches to voters. We examine their final messaging as well as their outreach to Catholics with a report from Register staff writer Peter Laffin. But first we get insights into the final report of the Synod on Synodality. Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl provides his analysis.

We take a look with Register writer Patti Armstrong at Harris-Walz election ad misinformation. Then we turn to Pope Francis' new encyclical Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us) that calls for a renewal of our hearts through deeper devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Register staff writer Joseph Pronechen brings us insights into Sacred Heart devotion as well as some pastoral advice on election day anxieties.

Over 5,700 children from 2019 to 2023 had sex-change surgeries and more than twice that many were prescribed puberty blockers, according to a new report by a medical watchdog group Do No Harm. EWTN News identified 150 Catholic hospitals among those that provided these services. National Catholic Register staff writer Matthew McDonald has the story. Then we get another synod report from Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl as the Synod on Synodality enters the final week.

The Synod on Synodality completes week one and Pope Francis continues to transform the College of Cardinals. EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst Frank Rocca provides analysis. Assisted suicide continues its grim progress in Western Europe as the so-called ‘Suicide Pod' Claims Its First Victim, an American woman, who traveled to Switzerland to die. Register staff writer Peter Laffin has the story.

This week Pope Francis opened the final Vatican assembly of the Synod on Synodality and that comes upon the heels of two papal trips. Synodality and reaching out to the geographic and moral peripheries are touchstones of this papacy. EWTN News' Courtney Mares and Frank Rocca discuss these key parts of Pope Francis' legacy. Then we discuss the US election with a month to go before Nov. 5 and the vice-presidential debate with Peter Laffin.

The Register's Jonathan Liedl gives a preview of what we can expect from the Synod discussions. Register columnist Andrea Picciotti Bayer brings us analysis of two cases worth watching as the Supreme Court term begins. Register staff writer Joseph Pronechen reviews a few films that can help us lift our minds to higher things.

For 20 years, the National Catholic Register has put a spotlight on the faithfulness of Catholic colleges and universities. This week on Register Radio we delve into Catholic identity on Campus. Then we turn to the 2024 Catholic Voters Guide. How do the two presidential nominees line up on issues of importance to the Catholic faithful? We explore the Candidates, the Issues and Church Teaching.

The Shroud of Turin got another significant nod from scientists. What do recent studies say about the shroud, believed by Christians to be the burial cloth of Jesus? Alyssa Murphy brings us a report. Then Peter Laffin provides analysis on the presidential debate. And finally, we turn to a growing problem in the US: a birth dearth. Why aren't we having enough children to replace our population? Daniel Payne and Jonathan Liedl cover this story.

EWTN News and Real Clear Opinion Research released a new poll on Catholic voters that shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Donald Trump. With us to discuss the numbers are reporters Peter Pinedo for Catholic News Agency and Peter Laffin for the National Catholic Register. Then we turn to mission fields far and wide with Father Roger Landry who was just named the New National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Pope Francis heads to Asia and Oceana, visiting 4 countries in 11 days. EWTN News Vatican analyst Frank Rocca gives his take on the significance of this trip. We learn about which states are facing abortion related ballot measures with Register staff writer Peter Laffin, and we get a preview of the Paralympic games in Paris, France with Register Europe correspondent Solène Tadié.