Podcasts about Pope Benedict XVI

Welcome to this enlightening episode of Father and Joe, where Joe Rockey and Father Boniface unfold the complexities and significance of a new papal election. With the election of Pope Leo, many Catholics and non-Catholics alike grapple with the question: "What does this new leadership mean for our daily lives?" While changes might seem ceremonial, Father Boniface provides deep insights into how different popes have redefined roles within the Church, highlighting shifts from Pope John Paul II, Benedict XVI, to Francis.We delve into Pope Benedict's contribution, focusing on his theological brilliance and subtle yet profound changes, such as his emphasis on localized beatification and the wealth of academic discourse he left behind. Unlike his predecessor, Pope Francis brought a mission-focused agenda fueled by simplicity and poverty, reshaping annulment processes, Curial structures, and emphasizing the global mission of the Church. Joe and Father Boniface discuss the unforeseen election of an American Pope, reflecting on how a conclave discerningly selects a pontiff to address contemporary ecclesiastical and global challenges, considering factors often veiled in secrecy.Father Boniface further illuminates the balance between doctrine, which remains unchanged, and governance, which can evolve with each papal reign. This episode enriches listeners' understanding of how a Pope not only influences ecclesiastical direction but also impacts billions globally. Whether you are a devout Catholic or a curious observer, this discussion promises to deepen your appreciation of the Papal office's depth and its alignment with the broader mission of the Church. Tune in next week for more reflections on Pope Leo's election and expectations in his papacy.Tags: Papal Transition, Pontiff, Pope Leo, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Catholic Doctrine, Church Governance, Vatican, Catholic Church, Papal Influence, Missionary Discipleship, Evangelization, Church Reform, New Evangelization, Church History, Pope John Paul II, Papal Election, Catholic Tradition, Spiritual Leadership, Theological Insights, Papal Teachings, Beatification, Synod, Catholic Audience, Religious Influence, Modern Christianity, Global Catholicism, Church Doctrine, Vatican Council, Church Unity, Catholic Faith, Church and Society, Clergy, Congregation, Catholic Community, Church Practices, Religious Discussions, Theology, Papal CeremoniesHashtags: #PapalTransition, #PopeLeo, #CatholicChurch, #Vatican, #PopeFrancis, #PopeBenedict, #ChurchHistory, #CatholicDoctrine, #MissionaryDiscipleship, #Evangelization, #ChurchReform, #PapalInfluence, #UniversalChurch, #SpiritualLeadership, #PapalTeachings, #CatholicTradition, #TheologyInsights, #ChurchGovernance, #CatholicFaith, #ReligiousInfluence, #Beatification, #Synod, #CatholicCommunity, #VaticanCouncil, #GlobalCatholicism, #ModernChristianity, #ChurchUnity, #CatholicAudience, #SpiritualDirection, #ChurchPractices, #ReligiousDiscussions, #PapalCeremonies, #NewEvangelization, #PapalElection, #ReligiousSignificance, #CatholicPodcast.

In this episode, host Jared Luttjeboer sits down with church historian, Dr. Alan Strange, and OT Professor, Dr. Andrew Compton, to explore the evolution of the papacy throughout church history. While this episode was being recorded (May 8, 2025), the College of Cardinals was meeting in conclave to elect a new Bishop of Rome. In the episode, the professors unpack the historical foundations of papal authority, from its contested early church origins to modern claims of papal supremacy. They examine how the office transformed from a regional bishopric to the powerful position we know today, discuss the theological foundations of the Reformation's challenge to papal authority, and reflect on why some modern Protestants still find themselves drawn to Rome. With historical insight and personal anecdotes—including Dr. Strange's encounter with future Pope Benedict XVI—this episode offers a thoughtful Reformed perspective on one of Christianity's most influential institutions while setting the stage for a future discussion on Pope Francis's controversial legacy.

Full Text of ReadingsSaturday of the Third Week of Easter Lectionary: 278The Saint of the day is Saint Damien de Veuster of MolokaiSaint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i's Story When Joseph de Veuster was born in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840, few people in Europe had any firsthand knowledge of leprosy, Hansen's disease. By the time he died at the age of 49, people all over the world knew about this disease because of him. They knew that human compassion could soften the ravages of this disease. Forced to quit school at age 13 to work on the family farm, Joseph entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary six years later, taking the name of a fourth-century physician and martyr. When his brother Pamphile, a priest in the same congregation, fell ill and was unable to go to the Hawaiian Islands as assigned, Damien quickly volunteered in his place. In May 1864, two months after arriving in his new mission, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu and assigned to the island of Hawaii. In 1873, he went to the Hawaiian government's leper colony on the island of Moloka'i, set up seven years earlier. Part of a team of four chaplains taking that assignment for three months each year, Damien soon volunteered to remain permanently, caring for the people's physical, medical, and spiritual needs. In time, he became their most effective advocate to obtain promised government support. Soon the settlement had new houses and a new church, school and orphanage. Morale improved considerably. A few years later, he succeeded in getting the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, led by Mother Marianne Cope, to help staff this colony in Kalaupapa. Damien contracted Hansen's disease and died of its complications. As requested, he was buried in Kalaupapa, but in 1936 the Belgian government succeeded in having his body moved to Belgium. Part of Damien's body was returned to his beloved Hawaiian brothers and sisters after his beatification in 1995. When Hawaii became a state in 1959, it selected Damien as one of its two representatives in the Statuary Hall at the US Capitol. Damien was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009. Reflection Some people thought Damien was a hero for going to Moloka'i and others thought he was crazy. When a Protestant clergyman wrote that Damien was guilty of immoral behavior, Robert Louis Stevenson vigorously defended him in an “Open Letter to Dr. Hyde.” Love the saints? Check out these six titles on Catholic saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

In this episode, host Jared Luttjeboer sits down with church historian, Dr. Alan Strange, and OT Professor, Dr. Andrew Compton, to explore the evolution of the papacy throughout church history. While this episode was being recorded (May 8, 2025), the College of Cardinals was meeting in conclave to elect a new Bishop of Rome. In the episode, the professors unpack the historical foundations of papal authority, from its contested early church origins to modern claims of papal supremacy. They examine how the office transformed from a regional bishopric to the powerful position we know today, discuss the theological foundations of the Reformation's challenge to papal authority, and reflect on why some modern Protestants still find themselves drawn to Rome. With historical insight and personal anecdotes—including Dr. Strange's encounter with future Pope Benedict XVI—this episode offers a thoughtful Reformed perspective on one of Christianity's most influential institutions while setting the stage for a future discussion on Pope Francis's controversial legacy.

Ralph comments on some surprising remarks of Pope Benedict XVI about how it isn't the Holy Spirit that chooses popes but the Cardinals.

Send us a textDoes the Holy Spirit REALLY Pick the Pope?

Pope Francis passed away at the age of eighty-eight on Easter Monday. He was the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit pope, and the first pope to take the name “Francis,” after St. Francis of Assisi. What stood out in his twelve-year pontificate? How does his papacy compare with those of his immediate predecessors, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II? What should we continue to champion from Francis' legacy as the Church charts her course into the future? Today we discuss Pope Francis' influence on both the Church and the world. A listener asks how to deal with regret from the past.  00:00 | Introduction 01:21 | Meeting Pope Francis 04:33 | Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI 06:36 | Pope Francis as first Latin-American pope 08:10 | Pope Francis as first Jesuit pope 10:22 | Pope Francis as first to be called “Francis” 11:09 | Master of the beau geste 13:36 | The Church as “field hospital” 15:16 | Resisting a “technocratic mindset” 19:01 | Clarifying the “universal designation of goods” 21:24 | Understanding the “two popes” 26:11 | Concerns about Francis's papacy 29:37 | Pope Francis's perception of the American church 32:25 | Honoring Pope Francis's legacy 33:50 | Listener question: How do I let go of regrets? 35:24 | Join the Word on Fire Institute Links: Pope Francis Resources: https://www.wordonfire.org/pope-francis/ Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

In April 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI following the death of Pope John Paul II.The new leader of the Catholic Church was elected after four ballots of the papal conclave. The late Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was one of 115 cardinals who took part.He spoke to Rebecca Kesby in 2013.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic' and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy's Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they've had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America's occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Cardinals conduct their final mass before entering into the conclave in 2005. Credit: Getty Images)

The movie Conclave, stocked with A-list Hollywood talent, has attracted much more attention since the death of Pope Francis and the impending Conclave to choose his successor. But how closely does the movie mirror the actual secretive event that has taken place for centuries under the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel? For veteran Vatican journalist and author John Allen, the only truth that is in the movie is that "Cardinals do vote for the pope." Unlike the election of a new president of the United States which occurs every four years, electing a pope occurs only when the person occupying the throne of St. Peter dies. St. John Paul II was pope 27 years, a very long period of time. Pope Benedict XVI was pope eight years, and Pope Francis, twelve years. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, coming to you from Rome in the shadows St. Peter's Basilica, Allen talks about what the movie got wrong, which is most of it, and some of which was true to form. He also elaborates on some of the top contenders from the College of Cardinals who are papabile, Pope-able. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not a spelling mistake, a pun. I do those. Search up "dubia letter" if you're scrathing your head over the title. LINKS Catholic Herald coverage of Cardinal Müller's church split comments: https://thecatholicherald.com/cardinal-muller-warns-church-risks-split-if-orthodox-pope-not-chosen/  Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo (1975): https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/it/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19751001_romano-pontifici-eligendo.html  CNN coverage of Cardinal Becciu situation: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/europe/cardinal-becciu-conclave-controversy-intl/index.html  Cruxnow coverage of Sister Brambilla situation: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/04/francis-legacy-lives-as-top-vatican-woman-gets-accidental-invite-to-conclave  Pontifacts + Popeular History Livestream of Pope Francis' funeral (join Adopt-A-Cardinal in the comments!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cl8ISMTqMA  Novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots: https://www.theholyrosary.org/maryundoerknots/  TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Popeular History. My name is Gregg and this is another Conclave special: “Raising the Alarm: Schism by Dubias Means?” Last Thursday, The Catholic Herald ran an article titled “Cardinal Müller warns Church risks split if ‘orthodox' pope not chosen.” Specifically, the Catholic Herald quotes the former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as saying “a heretic pope who changes every day depending on what the mass media is saying would be catastrophic.” Which, I hope he's answering a question like “would a heretic pope who changes every day depending on what the mass media is saying be catastrophic”? Because unless that idea is being planted in his mind by the interviewer, it would seem that such a dire scenario is something Cardinal Müller is actively worried about. And if it's something he's actively worried about, well that's got its own gravity. Bottom line, the article raises the potential specter of a schism, a split, in the Church, presumably some sort of major antipope situation where some of the Cardinals decide to reject the conclusion and go off and set up a rival Pope. We've seen antipopes before many times in Church history, though it's been a while since there's been a major one, recognized by a significant number of Catholics, say 5 percent. Or heck, even 1 percent. Longtime Pontifacts listeners will recall Bry and Fry actually interviewed Pope Michael, a modern antipope, back in 2022 shortly before his death. Oh, and thanks recent livestream viewer "Nogah f" for asking their antipope question with a handy definition of “serious” antipope accompanying, that was useful. Attentive listeners will probably know that I'm concerned about the possibility of schism myself, and if the Herald headline about Cardinal Müller is correct, I'm not alone. The reality is that even if the headline is wrong, I am comfortable saying it would be naïve to conclude that the possibility of schism isn't present in the minds of most Cardinals. After all, fundamentally, preventing schism is what the conclave process and ultimately the College of Cardinals is all about. Really, you could take it further: preventing schism is what the Papacy is about, uniting Christians under one clear umbrella. Wait, no, preventing schism is what Christianity is about, uniting humanity in Christ. Wait, no, ending the schism between God and humanity caused by the Fall is what Christ is about. You get the idea: Schism bad. Given that there seems to be more concern about the possibility of schism than usual, as we ramp up towards the conclave, it's worth asking what should be done to reduce the possibility and severity of such a break. Obviously it's pretty presumptuous of me to be talking about this, but I haven't seen it elsewhere, and it needs to be discussed. There are steps that should be taken publicly before the conclave to resolve ambiguities and close loopholes, and I haven't seen them taken yet, which has me a bit nervous, but given the nature of the situation, well, it may simply be that fundamental differences will remain. I'll update the show notes if and when I see updates relating to any of these things, this is obviously pretty cutting edge in terms of events coverage and there's a lot going on. Ok, let me lay this out. First, there are a surprising number of issues relating to who is actually a Cardinal-Elector in this conclave: an unusually high number of points of discussion, but not an unprecedented number, to be clear, since you need to work hard to find truly unprecedented things in Church history. Second, there is a notably strong traditionalist camp who, if I may read between the lines in Müller's statement, is prepared to reject any Pope they do not consider sufficiently orthodox. Let's tackle the first topic first. Probably the single most significant source of uncertainty in this election is the canonical limit of 120 Cardinal Electors, given that this will be the first Conclave to exceed the limit. In fact, there will be more Cardinal-Electors in this conclave than there have ever been, though that may be misleading, after all, how many people tended to take part in the Papal elections of the first millennium where not only the clergy but the people of Rome participated? Rome was smaller then, but it would be difficult to believe it wasn't a healthy crowd. The word “thousands” comes to mind. And yes, I too wonder how many women were in the crowds on those occasions when Popes were elected by acclamation. But then I think of how if it were up to individual voting in any form, even the most popular elections in the Hellenistic world appeared to be sausage fests. The Greco-Roman milieu gave us the Patriarchy after all, and as they say, the past is a foreign country, they do things differently there. In any event, the 120 cap being broken isn't too crazy a precedent, as it was only established in 1975 and was ignored at times by two of Pope Francis' traditionally-minded predecessors, Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. But it's also worth noting that Pope Francis ignored the rule so aggressively you might be tempted to think he misunderstood it. Did he think it was a minimum rather than a maximum? By my count, when Francis announced what would turn out to be his final batch of new Cardinals on October 6th of last year, there were already 121 new Cardinals kicking around, and it was only the untimely death of Spanish Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot that made sure there were fewer than 120 electors when the time came for the official elevation of the new batch. During the waiting period, one of the announced new Cardinals–Bishop Syukur of Bogor, Indonesia–declined the honor, and, as if to underscore how determined he was to have a very full College of Cardinals, Pope Francis elevated the Archbishop of Naples in his place, bringing the total number of Cardinal-Electors to a record high 140, which went mostly down to 135 by the time of Pope Francis' death last Monday due to Cardinals reaching the age of 80 and automatically losing their elector status. And yes, you heard that right, the Catholic Church of all places is one of the few organizations in the world with a hard cap on the age of electors. Oh, and yes, I did say the number went *mostly* down, more on that later. In reality, the Pope is an absolute monarch. Sure, the Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo exists and caps the number of Cardinal-Electors at 120 in Paragraph 33, but it's not like that was news to Pope Francis when he was blatantly disregarding It throughout his pontificate, and it's not like absolute monarchs are bound by constitutions–that's pretty specifically what makes them absolute monarchs. In short, it was a bit of a non-issue for him. And I also think it was an occasion where he decided to make things uncomfortable for the cardinals who he critiqued for being too comfortable early on in his pontificate. He famously told people to make a bit of a mess in the Church, and here he made a bit of a mess with the constitution of the college compared to the, uh, well, the Constitution of the College. I think he wanted the Cardinals to *have to * figure it out,  have to be a little uncomfortable with rigid rules. Anyways, in the words of an analysis kindly provided by Gabe over at the Papability Index over on X, quote “The 120 rule is a matter of Ecclesiastical Law, not Divine Law, so the Pope can dispense of it as he sees fit. Those ‘extra' Cardinals have just as many rights as the 120 since the Pope's powers, privileges, and appointments are unassailable as long as he's operating within the confines of Divine Law.”  end quote That makes sense to me, but constitutions are more of an issue for constitutional bodies, which, at the end of the day, is what the College of Cardinals is. I hate to say it, but I am definitely of the opinion that the College needs to address this discrepancy somehow, as this is a loophole that could be used to undermine the legitimacy of the next Pope. Perhaps the safest course would be to ensure the final vote is lopsided enough that a ⅔ majority would be cleared even discounting the “extra” electors, however many there end up being. Really what I think may happen is that this issue will go unaddressed during the sede vacante but may be used by a dissatisfied faction as an excuse to refuse to recognize the result. If this happens, it will be readily identifiable as an excuse because if the faction were really only interested in the legitimacy of the election, they would be objecting sooner, like right now, before any votes take place. To allow the conclave to proceed without flagging legitimate concerns about its, well, legitimacy, would be startlingly irresponsible for any Cardinal, and to follow that up with only rejecting the result and declaring an antipope only after the fact would expose the cynical motives and manipulative nature of such an act. I genuinely hope that doesn't happen, but now is not the time for me to sit back and say nothing about the apparent possibility. There are other smaller-scale eligibility questions with similar solutions and potentially similar outcomes, such as the updated official birthdays of a couple of the African cardinals that have had the result of keeping them eligible. I want to be clear that I, personally, am not questioning their eligibility, nor is this breaking news, this is as publicly available information as the 120 elector limit and everything else I've been talking about. But all legitimately concerned about avoiding schism should raise their objections now. Any Cardinals planning to toss the game board only after they lose need to know that their motives are clear and that this is not a game. And yeah, in case you can't tell, I have a particular concern about this. But it's a general problem, so there's no need to put my case into territory where I could be accused of ad hominem accusations by naming names. Let's just say late challenges here would be doubias at best. There's also the case of Cardinal Becciu, who as I understand it, resigned the rights and privileges of the Cardinalate back in 2020 but who now appears to be arguing that participating in a Conclave wasn't among those rights and privileges that he resigned. I do not expect the other Cardinals to find his arguments convincing. Finally, we have the case of Sister Simona Bambrilla, a female head of one of the Vatican's Dicasteries and more importantly *not a Cardinal* who was accidentally invited to participate in the Cardinals-only general congregations that began last week. I don't expect that to be an actual issue, but I thought it worth mentioning both for a bit of levity and as a reminder of the way women are kept out of places where they really honestly should be if you ask me. Whoops, uh, there went that levity. Ok, so that's my TED talk on the surprisingly fuzzy boundaries marking of the participants in the upcoming conclave. Eventually the “Extra Omnes” will be said and the doors will be locked “Con clave”--with a key, and, well, the “speak now or forever hold your peace” window will have passed at that point. Unless there are significant developments before then, I anticipate only Cardinal Becciu will have raised concerns, and then only for his case if my reading is right. Pro tip: I'm giving plenty of qualifiers when talking about Becciu due to what I perceive as a high risk of litigation. Just in case that wasn't obvious. Anyways, let's shift gears to the second of topic of concern I brought up at the start of this: Cardinals prepared to reject any Pope they do not consider sufficiently orthodox. And really, I can broaden that out to any Catholic prepared to reject the Pope, because the underlying scenario is the same, whether you're a Cardinal or a catechumen. If you reject the Pope, you're not Catholic. Union with the Pope is what defines Catholicism. I know there are those who disagree, I would hope they are not Cardinals of the Catholic Church. They can go play for Saint Louis if they want to be Cardinals while rejecting the Pope. The idea that a Pope can be deposed for heresy has been brought up and refuted time and again throughout Church history. If I need to work up an episode on that specifically I can, but the reality is putting this together has been a lot of work for one night, following up on the two and a half hours I spent livestreaming Francis' funeral at 4 am yesterday. Oh, yes, so if you're looking for yesterday's episode, by the way, look on the Pontifacts feed youtube and get ready to Adopt-A-Cardinal in the comments of the video! In any case, getting away from the self-plug and back to as serious as I have ever been and then some, I'll say this: I will accept whoever the next Pope is as Pope until they die or resign. You'd think Cardinals would be prepared to do this as well, but I've developed a degree of doubt. I want to conclude this episode by encouraging you to join the Vice-Pope and I in a novena to Mary, Undoer of Knots. As you may know, a novena is a sort of nine-day prayer-a-thon for a specific intention: in this case for a successful conclave, defined as one that finds the Cardinals and the whole Church united under the new Pope.  As you may also know, Our Lady, Undoer of Knots was a favorite devotion of the late Pope Francis, himself a noted fan of Our Lady. Since the novena includes a complete Rosary, and it's quite late, I'm not going to accompany you through the actual prayers as we go, just encourage you to consider joining Vice-Pope Mrs Popeular History and I on it in the coming days (and yeah, you can start it whenever, it's not like we have to be on the same timetable or you can't have a similar intention after the conclave wraps up). Fair warning, when I asked Mrs. Popeular History if she was up for this she said, and I quote, “sure, But it's known to end up with things worse before they get better lol” So on that note, thank you all for listening, God bless you all!

This week on Vaticano: Reflect on the legacy and final days of Pope Francis, examine his enduring relationship with Pope Benedict XVI, and reveal the stories of popes laid to rest beyond Vatican walls.

THE FUNERAL of Pope Francis was today in Rome. The process to select his successor will officially begin in early May—although speculation is already rampant. The book by Tom Horn and Cris Putnam, Petrus Romanus, which features an analysis of the “Prophecy of the Popes” attributed to a 12th-century Irish archbishop, Saint Malachy. The alleged prophecy, which is probably a late 16th-century forgery, foretold 112 popes with the last, Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman), presiding over many tribulations and the destruction of Rome. However, Pope Francis was 112th on the list, which would seem to debunk the prophecy—although some scholars claim the prophecy is open to the interpretation that additional popes would come between “Glory of the olive” (Pope Benedict XVI) and Peter the Roman, which means this prophecy will never be proven false for some. Also: Klaus Schwab out as CEO of the World Economic Forum; World Health Organization struggles to pay the bills; India and Pakistan on the verge of war; and Trump building new economic bloc. Watch Derek's presentation “The Secret History of Israel” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eovvMP2Q27Q Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Follow us! X (formerly Twitter): @pidradio | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert | @gilberthouse_tvTelegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunkerSubstack: gilberthouse.substack.comYouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelationFacebook.com/pidradio —————— JOIN US AND SPECIAL GUEST CARL TEICHRIB IN ISRAEL! We will tour the Holy Land October 19–30, 2025, with an optional three-day extension in Jordan. For more information, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. Note: Due to scheduling conflicts, we hope to have special guests Dr. Judd Burton, Doug Van Dorn, and Timothy Alberino on our tour in spring 2026. We will announce dates as soon as possible. Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! Our 1,200 square foot pole barn has a new HVAC system, epoxy floor, 100-amp electric service, new windows, insulation, lights, and ceiling fans! If you are so led, you can help out by clicking here: gilberthouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to this podcast, our weekly Bible studies, and our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker. The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at pidradio.com/app. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site: gilberthouse.org/video! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store/.

pWotD Episode 2911: Pope Benedict XVI Welcome to Popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 624,120 views on Monday, 21 April 2025 our article of the day is Pope Benedict XVI.Pope Benedict XVI (Latin: Benedictus XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger, German: [ˈjoːzɛf ˈʔaːlɔɪ̯s ˈʁat͡sɪŋɐ]; (16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II. Upon his resignation, Benedict chose to be known as "Pope emeritus", and he retained this title until his death in 2022.Ordained as a priest in 1951 in his native Bavaria, Ratzinger embarked on an academic career and established himself as a highly regarded theologian by the late 1950s. He was appointed a full professor in 1958 when aged 31. After a long career as a professor of theology at several German universities, he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising and created a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1977, an unusual promotion for someone with little pastoral experience. In 1981, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one of the most important dicasteries of the Roman Curia. From 2002 until he was elected pope, he was also Dean of the College of Cardinals. Before becoming pope, he had been "a major figure on the Vatican stage for a quarter of a century"; he had had an influence "second to none when it came to setting church priorities and directions" as one of John Paul II's closest confidants.Benedict's writings were prolific and generally defended traditional Catholic doctrine, values, and liturgy. He was originally a liberal theologian but adopted conservative views after 1968. During his papacy, Benedict advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increased secularisation of many Western countries. He viewed relativism's denial of objective truth, and the denial of moral truths in particular, as the central problem of the 21st century. Benedict also revived several traditions and permitted greater use of the Tridentine Mass. He strengthened the relationship between the Catholic Church and art, promoted the use of Latin, and reintroduced traditional papal vestments, for which reason he was called "the pope of aesthetics". He also established personal ordinariates for former Anglicans and Methodists joining the Catholic Church. Benedict's handling of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church and opposition to usage of condoms in areas of high HIV transmission was substantially criticised by public health officials, anti-AIDS activists, and victim's rights organizations.On 11 February 2013, Benedict announced his (effective 28 February 2013) resignation, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his advanced age. His resignation was the first by a pope since Gregory XII in 1415, and the first without external pressure since Celestine V in 1294. He was succeeded by Francis on 13 March 2013 and moved into the newly renovated Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City for his retirement. In addition to his native German language, Benedict had some level of proficiency in French, Italian, English, and Spanish. He also knew Portuguese, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Greek. He was a member of several social science academies, such as the French Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:27 UTC on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Pope Benedict XVI on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Niamh.

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died. The Argentinian, the first Latin American – and the first Jesuit – to lead the Church, has been the head of the Holy See for 12 years, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI who resigned in 2013. Francis presided over the funeral of his predecessor, who died in 2022 – a first in modern history. But Francis's leadership has been historic for many other reasons. In fact, says Damian Thompson, his reign has been ‘one of the most memorable, if controversial – not just in recent years but in recent centuries'. Liberals lauded his position on a number of social issues, while Conservatives saw the papacy as over-reaching and out of touch with every-day Catholics. But is it really that simple? Catholic priest and theologian Father Alexander Lucie-Smith joins Damian to react to the news of the Pope's death. Fr Alexander says that while Francis ‘defies summary', it is incredible to consider how far the papacy has changed when comparing him to his predecessors, even those of the 20th Century like Pope Pius XII. What will his legacy be? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, has died. The Argentinian, the first Latin American – and the first Jesuit – to lead the Church, has been the head of the Holy See for 12 years, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI who resigned in 2013. Francis presided over the funeral of his predecessor, who died in 2022 – a first in modern history. But Francis's leadership has been historic for many other reasons. In fact, says Damian Thompson, his reign has been ‘one of the most memorable, if controversial – not just in recent years but in recent centuries'. Liberals lauded his position on a number of social issues, while Conservatives saw the papacy as over-reaching and out of touch with every-day Catholics. But is it really that simple? Catholic priest and theologian Father Alexander Lucie-Smith joins Damian to react to the news of the Pope's death. Fr Alexander says that while Francis ‘defies summary', it is incredible to consider how far the papacy has changed when comparing him to his predecessors, even those of the 20th Century like Pope Pius XII. What will his legacy be? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

“With dignity, but like any Christian, because the bishop of Rome is a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man of this world.”That’s part of the instructions from Pope Francis to “lighten” the formality of his funeral arrangements. Francis wrote about his wish for a simpler ceremony in his autobiography, published earlier this year. The attitude reflected his wish that the church move closer to regular people and its mission of serving the marginalized, including migrants and the poor. Pope Francis died this morning at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He was 88. He was a unique figure in Catholic history. He was the first Latin American pontiff, having been a Cardinal in Argentina. And he was a decided pivot from the previous leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI. Where Pope Benedict was a traditionalist prior to stepping down from the position, Pope Francis spent his years pushing for a more inclusive vision of the Catholic Church. He was also the first member of the Jesuit order to be elected to the papacy. Guest: Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, Vice President for Mission Integration at Seattle University Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does the Cross, a symbol of suffering and death, stand at the center of the Catholic faith? In this episode of Logos Podcast, we explore the power of the Cross through Catholic theology and philosophy. From St. Paul's bold claim that “we preach Christ crucified” to the insights of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Anselm to Pope Benedict XVI, we uncover how the Cross reveals the deepest truths about love, justice, sacrifice, and redemption. Whether you're seeking spiritual insight or philosophical depth, this episode will challenge you to see the Cross not as defeat, but as divine wisdom and ultimate victory.Timecode:0:00 - Life update7:00 - Context of the Cross11:00 - The Foolish King21:40 - Death is Life29:10 - Why the Cross?37:05 - The Pattern of the Cross48:00 - Experiences with The Cross52:00 - The Tree of LifeSupport the show

He has an amazing story of surviving a life-threatening accident a few years ago. He was on the track team in high school and surfed regularly too. For decades he has been an avid motorcyclist, both dirt and touring. He has also been active in martial arts and was a regular participant in sailboat racing. Although he also swims and plays tennis and pickle ball, he perhaps excelled the most as an equestrian competitor as a rider for decades, having won numerous local, regional, state, national, and international championships. He authored a book that came out last year, called, "The Horseman's Tale.” His service to our country is seen in him being a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran and the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism in aerial combat, along with the Purple Heart. On the faith side, he was knighted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 for his humanitarian service.

This week we not only celebrate Pope Benedict XVI's birthday, but it is also the 20th anniversary of his election. Join Fr. Fessio as he gives a rare glimpse into the writings and teaching methods of a Pope who he believes will one day be declared a saint and doctor of the Church.   Fr. Fessio and Mark Brumley not only remember Cardinal Ratzinger's election, but they discuss his role in writing the Catechism and directing the Church in the 21st century. Finally, they reflect on the mission of Ignatius Press, which is largely informed by Pope Benedict, and they speculate on what the future may hold for the Church in the coming years.   Get Your Copy of Pope Benedict XVI's books at Ignatius.com: https://ignatius.com/authors/pope-benedict-xvi/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw--K_BhB5EiwAuwYoym__thMn8FCf9HVWDtHAx3Etl5PqUs_Ha130sdeXIJt3jVSieU4hbBoC9QMQAvD_BwE   Get Benedict XVI's Spirit of the Liturgy: https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/?searchid=2105105   SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast. You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Follow us on social media: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignatiuspress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignatius_press/

Send us a textTo learn more, please visit Father Harmon's site.Show notes:1:15 Harmon's background and work as priest since 20082:10 teaching fine arts and being a pastoral resource at Loyola University3:00 his work in the arts8:20 history of art in Jesuit community 12:00 Daniel Segers, Jesuit Priest and artist 12:30  Harmon's process as a painter in light of being a ‘work of service'16:00 Harmon's painting from pilgrimage through Spain17:30 students' responses19:15 his attendance at New York Academy of Art  23:30 Jerry Alonzo: how to communicate through your art26:45 Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate 28:20 definition of ‘sacred art'30:30 seeking social justice through art32:00 his work in Brownsville, TX connected to his art33:00 his series of Catholic objects35:30 his balance of time37:25 Alan Robertshaw's comments about all art being sacred42:10 Tolkien and Flannery O'Connor on religious imagination44:00 incorporating Catholic objects into his work46:50 Emily Gould - spiritual impact of artwork/architecture/nature49:15 Jarnick Vitters - importance of the physical objects to Harmon's faith51:00 Alan Robertshaw - subjective importance of objects53:30 Yelena Khajekian - art as a sacred endeavor54:40 Nnebundo Obi - interest in hearing about priest's pursuit of other vocations Please share your comments and/or questions at stephanie@warfareofartandlaw.comMusic by Toulme.To hear more episodes, please visit Warfare of Art and Law podcast's website.To leave questions or comments about this or other episodes of the podcast and/or for information about joining the 2ND Saturday discussion on art, culture and justice, please message me at stephanie@warfareofartandlaw.com. Thanks so much for listening!© Stephanie Drawdy [2025]

Father Dave answers a question from a listener named Steven about how the Church elects a new pope. Steven asks, “I'm praying for Pope Francis' health every day, but if he passes away, what are the next steps for electing a new pope?”

'I' didn't bring you here to leave you.Do you trust that?Do you trust Me?Then show me. Relax enough to feel Me. That Feeling IS My Name. Call It."Become conscious of Being Conscious. Eventually, the false 'I' will vanish, leaving only the unbroken awareness of the real, immanent 'I', Self-Consciousness Itself." - Ramana Maharshi******I call It Jesus. I call It Christ. I call It Love, still. Only Love is here.But when I say, 'Only Jesus is here',there is a dimension of feeling that has yet to be experienced. It feels more personal.It makes me take things less personally.It makes me more humble.I live in a posture of bowing,of worshiping everything,of seeing Him everywhere. Which is why one prayer is not better than another one.One religion is not better than another.Love is Love,and it does not belong to any one religion.This body goes into a Catholic church daily and serves as often as possible.It receives the Eucharist as often as possible.But the Spirit,this Awareness, that's Here, the church is in It,the temples,the ashrams are all in Here.I can't fit in them.Nikki goes to them.She likes to visit them,but I can't fit in any box.I Am That, and You are That.And every time you remember that,"All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, is with you." - 2 Corinthians 13-14I Love you, nik p.s. CHANGE IS HERE.nikki@curlynikki.comPlease support the show: ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings▶▶ Cash App $NikWalton __________________________________________Day 3- Surrender Novena How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me; "You take care of it", then closes its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor to cure you, but rather sick people who tell the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the our Father: "Hallowed be thy Name", that is, be glorified in my need. "Thy kingdom come", that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven", that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: "Thy will be done", which is the same as saying: "You take care of it", I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations. O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus. Amen_______________________________"Once (people] let go of the reins and just kind of put their trust in the divine, in God - He will basically change your entire life the way He did mine." Jonathan Roumie"There are times when the burden of need and our own limitations might tempt us to become discouraged. But precisely then we are helped by the knowledge that, in the end, we are only instruments in the Lord's hands; and this knowledge frees us from the presumption of thinking that we alone are personally responsible for building a better world. In all humility we will do what we can, and in all humility we will entrust the rest to the Lord. It is God who governs the world, not we. We offer him our service only to the extent that we can, and for as long as he grants us the strength. To do all we can with what strength we have, however, is the task which keeps the good servant of Jesus Christ always at work: "The love of Christ urges us on" (2 Cor 5:14). - Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love: Deus Caritas Est"The Light you give off did not come from a pelvis. Your features did not begin in semen. Don't try to hide inside anger, radiance that cannot be hidden." - Rumi "People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway." -Inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta'Prayer is the natural outgushing of a soul in communion with Jesus. Just as the leaf and the fruit will come out of the vine-branch without any conscious effort on the part of the branch, but simply because of its living union with the stem, so prayer buds, and blossoms, and fruits out of souls abiding in Jesus' -Charles Spurgeon

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the “Judgement as a Setting for Learning and Practicing Hope” section of Spe Salvi by Pope Benedict XVI.41. At the conclusion of the central section of the Church's great Credo—the part that recounts the mystery of Christ, from his eternal birth of the Father and his temporal birth of the Virgin Mary, through his Cross and Resurrection to the second coming—we find the phrase: “he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead”. From the earliest times, the prospect of the Judgement has influenced Christians in their daily living as a criterion by which to order their present life, as a summons to their conscience, and at the same time as hope in God's justice. Faith in Christ has never looked merely backwards or merely upwards, but always also forwards to the hour of justice that the Lord repeatedly proclaimed. This looking ahead has given Christianity its importance for the present moment. In the arrangement of Christian sacred buildings, which were intended to make visible the historic and cosmic breadth of faith in Christ, it became customary to depict the Lord returning as a king—the symbol of hope—at the east end; while the west wall normally portrayed the Last Judgement as a symbol of our responsibility for our lives—a scene which followed and accompanied the faithful as they went out to resume their daily routine. As the iconography of the Last Judgement developed, however, more and more prominence was given to its ominous and frightening aspects, which obviously held more fascination for artists than the splendour of hope, often all too well concealed beneath the horrors. (From Spe Salvi, Pope Bendict XVI, 2007.) In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year' was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation. The first Jubilee was declared by Pope Boniface VIII on 22nd February 1300 (Feast of the Chair of St. Peter), to mark the beginning of that century. He later recommended it occurring every 100 years. This year the Church celebrates the Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope. Notes:Jubilee ResourcesRead Spe Salvi hereOn Mission: PilgrimagesOn Mission: Shrines Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the “Action and Suffering as Settings for Learning Hope” section of Spe Salvi by Pope Benedict XVI.35. All serious and upright human conduct is hope in action. This is so first of all in the sense that we thereby strive to realize our lesser and greater hopes, to complete this or that task which is important for our onward journey, or we work towards a brighter and more humane world so as to open doors into the future. Yet our daily efforts in pursuing our own lives and in working for the world's future either tire us or turn into fanaticism, unless we are enlightened by the radiance of the great hope that cannot be destroyed even by small-scale failures or by a breakdown in matters of historic importance. If we cannot hope for more than is effectively attainable at any given time, or more than is promised by political or economic authorities, our lives will soon be without hope. It is important to know that I can always continue to hope, even if in my own life, or the historical period in which I am living, there seems to be nothing left to hope for. Only the great certitude of hope that my own life and history in general, despite all failures, are held firm by the indestructible power of Love, and that this gives them their meaning and importance, only this kind of hope can then give the courage to act and to persevere. Certainly we cannot “build” the Kingdom of God by our own efforts—what we build will always be the kingdom of man with all the limitations proper to our human nature. (From Spe Salvi, Pope Bendict XVI, 2007.) In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year' was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation. The first Jubilee was declared by Pope Boniface VIII on 22nd February 1300 (Feast of the Chair of St. Peter), to mark the beginning of that century. He later recommended it occurring every 100 years. This year the Church celebrates the Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope. Notes:Jubilee ResourcesRead Spe Salvi hereOn Mission: PilgrimagesOn Mission: Shrines Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Patrick begins by addressing an email inquiry about the significance of having holy water at home, emphasizing its spiritual benefits and symbolic power against evil. Annie seeks advice on whether to support Target during a boycott related to changes in their DEI policies, while Trish inquires about the meaning of a particular Luminous mystery in the Rosary. Young caller Isaac poses earnest questions about self-defense, the timeline of dinosaurs in relation to biblical stories, and ancient civilizations. Patrick provides thoughtful and faith-based insights, making complex topics accessible and relevant. With a blend of scripture and modern-day applications, this hour fosters a deeper understanding of Catholic beliefs and practices. Trisha (email) – Should we have Holy Water at home? (00:41) Annie - Is it a good idea to shop at Target since the LGBT community is having a 40-day protest against Target? (04:15) Trish - What does the 3rd Luminous Mystery of the Rosary mean? (08:36) Isaac (11-years-old) - Is killing in self-defense a sin? When did dinosaurs show up in Bible. When did people start believing in other gods? (12:22) Ann - I sent my brother “Surprised by Truth” to get him back in the faith. How should I respond if he finds out it was me? (22:46) Bernard (email) - Numerous parishes offer Friday Fish Fry at the buffet level, which makes me think, “shouldn’t we fast today?” (28:05) Nathan - I have a protestant girlfriend and want to understand her perspective better. What can I do? (29:49) Mark - Can you explain Pope Benedict XVI’s interpretation of God’s love for us? (38:11) John - What is the proper way to have a funeral? My stepson is not Catholic and committed suicide. The Family wants to bury his ashes with our mother who was buried in a Catholic cemetery. (44:31)

“Healing happens organically as love is being expressed,” says Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center    In this mini-retreat in a podcast, Dr. Bob shares how important it is to listen and be attentive to what spiritual practices the Holy Spirit is drawing you to this Lent--so the Divine Physician can bless you with healing.   As we look at our patterns of sin and chronic wounds we have carried with us for a long time, we must remember God sees us in our wholeness. And remember that we cannot fix our own brokenness; however, we can name it and bring it to Jesus for healing.    Dr. Bob shares stories, including when he had a panic attack and realized his own need for healing. As Dr. Bob engaged in the healing process, he learned that beneath his anxiety was abandonment from his parents' divorce. The pain in his heart began to heal through the love of God and he forgave his parents. Healing is a life-long journey that we all need to engage in.     Pope Benedict XVI said, “Whoever truly wishes to heal man must see him in his wholeness and must know that his ultimate healing can only be God's love.”    May we bring all of ourselves to God this Lent, to discover the healing touch of The One who loves us completely.    Learn more about Dr. Bob Schuchts, the John Paul II Healing Center and more opportunities for healing at https://jpiihealingcenter.org.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the “Prayer as a School of Hope” section of Spe Salvi by Pope Benedict XVI.32. A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me any more, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me[25]. When I have been plunged into complete solitude ...; if I pray I am never totally alone. The late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a prisoner for thirteen years, nine of them spent in solitary confinement, has left us a precious little book: Prayers of Hope. During thirteen years in jail, in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude. (From Spe Salvi, Pope Bendict XVI, 2007.) In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year' was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation. The first Jubilee was declared by Pope Boniface VIII on 22nd February 1300 (Feast of the Chair of St. Peter), to mark the beginning of that century. He later recommended it occurring every 100 years. This year the Church celebrates the Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope. Notes:Jubilee ResourcesRead Spe Salvi hereOn Mission: PilgrimagesOn Mission: Shrines Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Just over 12 years ago, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected Pope Francis in the conclave of 2013. And Tiffany was in St. Peter's Square when it happened. She saw the white smoke pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, she heard those famous words "Habemus Papam!" and she, along with the other thousands of people that had by that time gathered in St. Peter's Square that rainy March night, was among the first to see the newly elected Pope in person.   With Pope Francis seriously ill, and many believing his papacy will soon come to an end, Tiffany and Katy talk about his 12 years (so far) as Pope, what it was like to see him elected, see him up close when he baptized Aurelio, and what will happen when he eventually passes.   We also delve into all things pope, including the death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and what to see in Rome instead if you happen to be here when the Sistine Chapel is closed for the conclave.   The mega-blog posts that Tiffany mentions having written during the lead-up to the conclave of Pope Francis can be found here:   Meet the Papabili: A Handy Guide to the Popefuls of Conclave 2013 How the Conclave Works: All the Rules and Rituals of the Papal Election A Short History of Conclave Find out more about the convent of Santa Francesca Romana here. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and unforgettable week in Rome, this October 2025! Discover the city with us as your guides, seeing a side to Rome tourists almost never see. Find out more here. ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!  

Richard G. DeClue, Jr., S.Th.D. is the Professor of Theology at the Word on Fire Institute. In addition to his undergraduate degree in theology (Belmont Abbey College), he earned three ecclesiastical degrees in theology at the Catholic University of America. He specializes in systematic theology with a particular interest and expertise in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger / Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. His STL thesis treated Ratzinger's Eucharistic ecclesiology in comparison to the Eastern Orthodox theologian John Zizioulas. His doctoral dissertation expounded and evaluated Ratzinger's theology of divine revelation. Dr. DeClue has published articles in peer-reviewed journals on Ratzinger's theology, and he taught a college course on the thought of Pope Benedict XVI. He is also interested in the ecclesiology of Henri de Lubac, the debate over nature and grace, and developing a rapprochement between Communio (ressourcement) theology and Thomism. The Mind of Benedict XVI by Dr. Richard DeClue: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/the-mind-of-benedict-xvi

2/26/25 6am CT Hour - Ashley Noronha / Fr. John Gordon John and Glen chat about Pope Francis health, President Trump's first Cabinet meeting, and egg prices and availability. Ashley gives an update on Pope Francis's health, talks about the anniversary of the last day of the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI and more Fr. John reports on the story of a Catholic pediatrician recovered from cancer after visiting Carlo's tomb.

Fr. Gerry McCloskey is joined by Thomas Carey who speaks about reasons for hope.  He speaks about Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope) which is Pope Benedict XVI's second Encyclical Letter. He shows how we can grow and be schooled in hope through prayer, action and even suffering. L'articolo Chatechesis – Fr Gerry McCloskey – Thomas Carey proviene da Radio Maria.

In this segment from the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. reflects on the “The True Shape of Christian Hope” section of Spe Salvi by Pope Benedict XVI.32. A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me any more, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me[25]. When I have been plunged into complete solitude ...; if I pray I am never totally alone. The late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a prisoner for thirteen years, nine of them spent in solitary confinement, has left us a precious little book: Prayers of Hope. During thirteen years in jail, in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude. (From Spe Salvi, Pope Bendict XVI, 2007.) In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee or ‘Holy Year' was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation. The first Jubilee was declared by Pope Boniface VIII on 22nd February 1300 (Feast of the Chair of St. Peter), to mark the beginning of that century. He later recommended it occurring every 100 years. This year the Church celebrates the Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope. Notes:Jubilee ResourcesRead Spe Salvi hereOn Mission: PilgrimagesOn Mission: Shrines Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.

Was Pope Benedict forced to Resign? Hear the explosive claims surrounding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and possible U.S. government involvement. Alleged deep-state ties pressured Pope Benedict to resign, potentially invalidating his resignation and calling into question the legitimacy of Pope Francis' papacy.Liz Yore explains the connections between the Obama-Biden administration, Theodore McCarrick, and deep state influence on the Vatican. We must urge President Donald Trump to investigate these claims and release the classified government records.U.S. residents! Create a will with LifeSiteNews: https://www.mylegacywill.com/lifesitenews ****PROTECT Your Wealth with gold, silver, and precious metals: https://stjosephpartners.com/lifesitenews +++SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH! https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ ****Download the all-new LSNTV App now, available on iPhone and Android!LSNTV Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lsntv/id6469105564 LSNTV Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lifesitenews.app +++Connect with John-Henry Westen and all of LifeSiteNews on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenews John-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A meditation about heaven, preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai during a retreat at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, on February 15, 2025. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that heaven is not an abstract concept or imaginary place, but the true reality of God's presence. He said heaven is not a departure from the world but a "new mode of presence to the world. Its not a physical location in the cosmos.Music: 'Moonlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.comThumbnail: The oculus of the Pantheon, Rome.

Friends of the Rosary,Four years after the promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX (1854), the Blessed Virgin appeared eighteen times to Bernadette  Soubirous in 1858 in Lourdes, France.On the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, the Most Holy Virgin announced her name,"I am the Immaculate Conception."Soon, a Shrine was erected, and since that time, countless pilgrims visit every year Lourdes, one of the most important "places of grace" in Christendom.In Lourdes, pilgrims open their hearts to the presence of the Mother and are captivated by the mystery of the Son.The Marian apparitions have encouraged countless souls to follow a path of conversion and personal sanctification.Pope Benedict XVI said,“The message which Our Lady still offers at Lourdes recalls the words Jesus said at the beginning of his public mission and that we hear so often in Lent: ‘Convert and believe in the Gospel, pray and do penance.”Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠February 12, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In this episode, we talk about how we can receive graces by making a spiritual pilgrimage to Nazareth. We reflect on the Holy Family, how they teach us to love well, and how they show us how to build a family that heals and transforms its members. We also discuss the sanctification of the ordinary, how life is found in doing our daily duty well, and how to dialogue with others. Nazareth is a place of love, and we invite you to use your imagination and make the journey with us.    Heather's One Thing - Discovering your God-given Identity Course  Heather's Other One Thing - Memorize Scripture by Jackie Angel Sister Miriam's One Thing - Last Paragraph of Pope Benedict XVI's Inaugural Homily Michelle's One Thing - Everyone who experienced the loss of home from a natural disaster. We are praying for you.   Other Resources Mentioned:  For any alumni of the JPII Healing Center's Holy Desire retreat, Jake Khym is offering a free online course “The Freedom Series: Journeying with Holy Desire”   Announcement: Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God's Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee. Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. Amazon has very limited copies, so we recommend you order from St. Paul Center to ensure you receive your copy before Lent begins!   Journal Questions: Have I ever prayed about life in Nazareth? How can I experience Nazareth in an ordinary way? Where do I need to be transformed in family life? Spend time this week meditating on life in Nazareth. How did I encounter the Holy Family in my meditation? When are the times that I want to rebuke and accuse others? Do I want holiness and transformation more than being right?   Discussion Questions: What renewal and transformation do you need to experience in Nazareth? How do you see ordinary life as the path to sanctification? How do you see ordinary life as an obstacle to sanctification? Where are you in bondage within family life? How can you allow an encounter of Nazareth to set you free from that bondage?   Quote to Ponder: “Pilgrimages are a call to return to the roots of our faith. Nazareth, where Jesus lived His hidden life, is a place that invites us to reflect on our own journey. It is not only a place of memory but also a place of renewal and transformation.” (Pope Francis, Homily, Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, 2014)   Scripture for Lectio: “And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23)   Sponsor - CMF CURO: Embrace the Wholeness God Desires for You Are you looking for a community of Catholics that is open to Christ's healing love, prays together and is striving for excellence in spirit, mind and body? We know it can be hard to find that. That's why CURO offers its Belong, Thrive and Share communities.   As a listener of Abiding Together, we're excited to offer you a free session of Catholic spiritual direction or personalized wellness coaching.  We're confident that you'll love your time with our trained and experienced coaches and spiritual directors. Our members can't stop saying how grateful they are to grow closer to Christ, form new habits and progress in virtue.  If online is your thing, then check out the Belong wellness portal with a free 30-Day trial. It's designed to help you learn your strengths, discover areas to grow in, and lets you sync with your smart device to seamlessly track your progress towards your goals.  To sign up or learn more just visit: cmfcuro.com/abiding.    Timestamps: 00:00 - CMF CURO 01:37 - Intro 02:30 - Welcome 04:30 - Rest in Nazareth 06:45 - How Do We Go to Nazareth? 11:57 - Spiritual Pilgrimage of Hope 13:31 - The Sanctification of Ordinary Life 15:34 - We Find a Love that Heals 18:00 - A Place to Dialogue 20:39 - Bringing Our Littleness to Nazareth 24:07 - An Encouragement to Try 24:37 - A Place of Astonishment and Wonder 28:50 - One Things

I am excited to have my favorite Catholic scholar, Dr. Matthew Thomas, back in the Dojo! In this episode we talk about why Josephus is important for Christians to read. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is available at: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/ Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical - https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html N.T. Wright's response to Pope Benedict's Encyclical - https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/04/05/saved-in-hope-reflections-on-an-encyclical/ Other videos mentioned in this episode: * John Wesley on the "Catholic Spirit" - https://youtu.be/5nJzH-JrhhE * A theology of shared meals (part 1) - https://youtu.be/WD5zdp3gZBg * A theology of shared meals (part 2) - https://youtu.be/PtZI_29nCeY * Ignatius Catholic Study Bible initial flip-through - https://youtu.be/oEcnpmXcFzc * Dr. David DeSilva walks us through the Apocrypha - https://youtu.be/xh5n5okLaAI * Why Christians should read the Aramaic Targums - https://youtu.be/e1GOvDxkBnc * Rabbi Beth Lieberman on Jewish Bible translations - https://youtu.be/FRi3I-bESGQ ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2 ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

I am excited to have my favorite Catholic scholar, Dr. Matthew Thomas, back in the Dojo! In this episode we talk about why Josephus is important for Christians to read. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is available at: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/ Pope Benedict XVI's Encyclical - https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html N.T. Wright's response to Pope Benedict's Encyclical - https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/04/05/saved-in-hope-reflections-on-an-encyclical/ Other videos mentioned in this episode: * John Wesley on the "Catholic Spirit" - https://youtu.be/5nJzH-JrhhE * A theology of shared meals (part 1) - https://youtu.be/WD5zdp3gZBg * A theology of shared meals (part 2) - https://youtu.be/PtZI_29nCeY * Ignatius Catholic Study Bible initial flip-through - https://youtu.be/oEcnpmXcFzc * Dr. David DeSilva walks us through the Apocrypha - https://youtu.be/xh5n5okLaAI * Why Christians should read the Aramaic Targums - https://youtu.be/e1GOvDxkBnc * Rabbi Beth Lieberman on Jewish Bible translations - https://youtu.be/FRi3I-bESGQ ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2 ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the inspiring life of Saint Agatha, one of the Church's most venerated virgin-martyrs. Known for her unwavering faith, heroic virtue, and miraculous intercession, Saint Agatha's story is a challenge for men today to stand firm in truth, defend purity, and embrace suffering with faith.Key Takeaways:✅ The extraordinary courage of Saint Agatha—how she stood against a corrupt ruler and refused to compromise her faith, even in the face of brutal torture. ✅ The deeper meaning of suffering and sacrifice—how Agatha's endurance teaches us to embrace trials with faith and perseverance. ✅ Why Saint Agatha's witness still matters today—and how her life calls men to rise up, defend purity, and stand unwavering in truth.Notable Quotes:

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Blue Moon Spirits Fridays, is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, Tulsi Gabbard was cross examined to her face and she folded like a cheap Russian suit.Then, on the rest of the menu, when RFK Jr was presented with the science on vaccines he said he needed to see, he dismissed it; all the air traffic controllers resigned at a 'hugely important' California airport after Musk illegally transferred their contracts to a cheaper paying firm; and, Tennessee MAGA passed a bill making it a felony for a local official to vote in a way that doesn't support Trump's immigration plans.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where an Iraqi man who carried out Quran burnings in Sweden has been killed in a shooting near Stockholm; and, an ultra-traditionalist, Holocaust-denying Catholic bishop, who created a scandal in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated him, has died at age eighty-fourAll that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live Player​Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“Structural linguistics is a bitterly divided and unhappy profession, and a large number of its practitioners spend many nights drowning their sorrows in Ouisghian Zodahs.” ― Douglas Adams "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe"Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

In this Faith and Family Catholic Bible Podcast episode, Steve Wood explores two approaches to the Holy Spirit and Confirmation. Drawing from the teachings of St. Paul in Galatians, he discusses how we can live the Christian life empowered by the Holy Spirit. He addresses a common misunderstanding regarding Confirmation, emphasizing that it should be seen as a doorway, not a destination—a lifelong journey with the Holy Spirit. Steve reflects on Pope Benedict XVI's powerful message to Catholic youth, urging them to awaken and embrace the grace of Confirmation for a transformative, Spirit-filled life. Tune in for practical insights on how to continually grow in the Holy Spirit and live out your faith. Referenced in this episode: Galatians 4:6-7 Galatians 5:25 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:5 Bible translations Steve recommends: RSV-CE – Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition ESV – English Standard Version, if you don't want to use a Catholic bible After 25 years of Faith & Family broadcasts, we are still, perhaps now more than ever, grateful for your prayers & support. Visit us online anytime at www.bibleforcatholics.com. If you like what you're listening to, please share with a friend!

Patrick explores immigration issues, presenting Church perspectives from Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He shares Ed Fazer’s complex theological viewpoints, helping listeners understand the importance of balancing mercy and justice. Patrick also engages with heartfelt calls from listeners seeking guidance on dealing with past decisions and finding community in the Church. Patrick shares Edward Feser’s recent posts on X about Pope Benedict XVI’s stance on immigration (1:28) Allen – I was a victim of a spiritual assault. A bad situation happened at adoration when someone said to me that I ought to be kneeling. It was rude. (19:20) Joe - I have a living will that says, 'Do Not Resuscitate’. Am I committing suicide at that point? (37:56) Sheila – Is it a grave sin to leave mass before the final blessing? (45:54) Marianne – Comment about the man who can’t kneel he could sit down on the edge of seat (49:15)

“Love is the light—and in the end, the only light—that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working. Love is possible, and we are able to practice it because we are created in the image of God. To experience love and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world—this is the invitation I would like to extend with the present Encyclical.” Deus Caritas Est, or “God is Love,” was the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, released on December 25, 2005. This letter focuses on the nature of Christian love, particularly examining the relationship between God's love for humanity and the love Christians are called to show others. Benedict grounds his reflections in Scripture and tradition, aiming to clarify misunderstandings about Christian love in a contemporary world marked by both cynicism and sentimentality. This episode comprises the second part, titled “Caritas: The Practice of Love by the Church as a Community of Love,” and the encyclical's conclusion. Links: Full text: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html SUBSCRIBE to Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-culture-audiobooks/id1482214268 SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter http://www.catholicculture.org/newsletter DONATE at http://www.catholicculture.org/donate/audio  Theme music: "2 Part Invention", composed by Mark Christopher Brandt, performed by Thomas Mirus. ©️2019 Heart of the Lion Publishing Co./BMI. All rights reserved.

All the first universities were—St. Thomas Aquinas would tell us—Catholic ones. But in this modern day, it takes intentionality to maintain the rich tradition of Catholic education. In a talk recorded for HeightsCast, Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America, spoke to families at The Heights about what it means to be a Catholic university. He first consults the experts: Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, John Paul the Great, and Pope Benedict XVI. He then offers examples from his own career in school leadership, and how to put the exhortations of popes and saints into action on campus. Chapters: 6:14 Universities: a Catholic inheritance 8:06 Newman and Aquinas on universities 11:58 Papal directives for Catholic universities 15:56 Theodrama vs. egodrama 19:16 Getting these ideas on campus 19:36 Mission-enthusiastic faculty 21:26 Mission-integrated curricula 24:12 Counseling with a Christian anthropology 25:01  Teaching a professional call to holiness 26:21 Campus ministry 28:15 The distinctive value of Catholic education 31:10 Q1: Technology and the next 50 years 36:13 Q2: College affordability and value Links: The Idea of a University by St. John Henry Newman Ex Corde Ecclesiae by Pope St. John Paul II Regensburg Address on Faith, Reason, and the University by Pope Benedict XVI “The Real Cost of College Education—for Students, Families, and the Nation” by Jamie Merisotis Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life by Andrew Abela Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Pakaluk Also on the Forum: Receiving Beauty: A Liberal Arts Education featuring Dr. George Harne Considerations for the College-Bound Student featuring Dr. Peter Kilpatrick The Idea of the Liberal Arts University, Part I featuring Dr. Thomas Hibbs Rethinking College: Why go? How? When? featuring Arthur Brooks

Hey Bridge Builder listeners, Jason Adkins here. As the executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, I am so grateful to everyone who has tuned into these podcast episodes over the years. Now, that the Bridge Builder has come to an end, I want to introduce you to a new podcast venture, "Catholic in America." Catholic in America is a podcast collaboration between OSVNews.com and OSVPodcasts.com. I host the program, but this is not a project of the Minnesota Catholic Conference nor are the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Minnesota Catholic Conference. Take a listen to the introductory episode, and then search for Catholic in America in you favorite podcast app or go to www.MNCatholic.org/CatholicInAmerica. Thanks for listening! ------ In the first episode of Catholic in America on the OSV Podcast Network, host Jason Adkins introduces the mission and vision of the podcast. Adkins explains the importance of faithful citizenship and how living for the good of the earthly city contributes to attaining the heavenly one. He shares his background as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and outlines the role of the organization in advocating for policies that protect human dignity and promote the common good. Adkins emphasizes the integration of religion and politics, inspired by messages from Pope Benedict XVI and other Church thinkers. The episode sets the stage for future discussions on diverse issues impacting both local and national landscapes, focusing on the evangelical role of the Church in today's secular society. Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Welcome to Catholic in America.

Almighty God raises up in each age, certain persons who turn the Church and the world on its axis. Pope Benedict XVI in our age and the desert monastics in an early age are some examples.

Biden scheduled a state funeral for Jimmy Carter, on January 9th. South Korea's president ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country's airline operations following a deadly plane crash.  And tomorrow, the faithful will commemorate the anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's death.

Embracing Hope and Presence - Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles reflects on Pope Benedict XVI's teachings about waiting with hope, using the Christian understanding of time and history. The post Embracing Hope and Presence – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles Dr. Anthony Lilles offers a captivating exploration of the spiritual significance of St. Nicholas through the reflections of Pope Benedict XVI. St. Nicholas, known for his generosity and kindness, serves as a model of Christ’s light, especially during Advent. His actions, rooted ... Read more The post Unveiling the Light of St. Nicholas – Advent Reflections with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI audience 2009: John Damascene, a personage of prime importance in the history of Byzantine Theology, a great Doctor in the history of the Universal Church. Above all he was an eyewitness of the passage from the Greek and Syrian Christian cultures shared by the Eastern part of the Byzantine Empire, to the Islamic culture, which spread through its military conquests in the territory commonly known as the Middle or Near East. John, born into a wealthy Christian family, at an early age assumed the role, perhaps already held by his father, of Treasurer of the Caliphate. Very soon, however, dissatisfied with life at court, he decided on a monastic life, and entered the monastery of Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. This was around the year 700. He never again left the monastery, but dedicated all his energy to ascesis and literary work, not disdaining a certain amount of pastoral activity, as is shown by his numerous homilies. His liturgical commemoration is on the 4 December. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him Doctor of the Universal Church in 1890 The post St. John Damascene, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.