Bacani: The Super Bowl is just a few days away, and the rest of us will see this ad for the first time. What feedback are you getting directly about this ad? Schneeberger: We are getting positive feedback from friends who are encouraging of our work, who celebrate family and celebrate life. We’ve also gotten criticism from groups who are ideologically opposed to our decision. It’s been a lot of media attention, lots of media interviews. This is the first time we’ve put an ad on during the Super Bowl…we’ll see how it all plays out after the ad airs. So far it’s been a rewarding experience working with CBS and the Tebows. Bacani: Reports say that putting this ad on during the Super Bowl cost Focus on the Family as much as $2.5 to $3 million. Schneeberger: That’s just what the speculations are. However, we haven’t disclosed how much it was to produce this ad and how much it cost us to put this ad on during the Super Bowl. Bacani: What other kinds of projects could you have funded with the amount of money you spent on the ad? Schneeberger: All the money that was used for the air time came from friends of our ministry who wanted the money used specifically for this project. Bacani: Is it worth the investment for Focus on the Family? Schneeberger: It’s absolutely worth the investment. The opportunity to have this ad on TV on this day of the year…more people are gathered around TV set than any other day of the year. And it’s an opportunity for us to make aware of the services that Focus on the Family provides.The day after the Superbowl, I will conduct another phone interview with Schneeberger, who will then be in Miami. This will be featured on Monday’s Perspectives, which airs at 7 and 11 pm (all times Eastern). Pedro Guevara Mann will provide more in-depth analysis of this ad and its impact on the half-hour Perspectives program that will air Friday, February 12th at the same times.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly and referred to Pope Francis and mentioned spouses who have been beatified and canonized, like the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
Pope Leo XIV chose his name primarily to highlight his most recent namesake Leo XIII, whose "historic encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question" to the challenges of his time. What concerns does the encyclical address? How does it speak to its time? And what has been its legacy 134 years later?
On May 25, 2025, Pope Leo XIV was formally installed on the cathedra of the Diocese of Rome at a Mass in St. John Lateran Basilica. In his homily, he said that "communion is built primarily 'on our knees,' through prayer and constant commitment to conversion."
Did you know that the pope has his own cathedral? Pope Leo XIV is about to "take possession" of the Lateran Basilica, which you can read all about here.
On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated his pontificate with Holy Mass in St. Peter's Square. In his homily, he said, "I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family."