What's in a name? When a new pope chooses a name that's been used before, it’s usually to highlight some of his predecessors or other historical figures, as ways of recalling the importance of their legacy in the present day. Here's a look at some of history's greatest popes named Leo.
Deacon Pedro explores the ins and outs of a modern Conclave, and asks, "Where is the Holy Spirit in all this?"
This week we remember Pope Francis, with several guests who share their thoughts and memories. We will especially remember his contributions in terms of dialogue, synodality, women in the church, seminary formation, his approach to those in the peripheries and the marginalized, and will also remember his historic visit to Canada in 2022. Our guests […]
Deacon Pedro speaks with Vatican Journalist, Javier Martinez Brocal, author of “Conclave, The Rules for Electing the Next Pope”, and learns what happens during the Sede Vacante period” after a pope dies, including the changes to the rites of the Vacancy of the Apostolic See, announced by Pope Francis in November 2024. This interview first […]
This week we speak with Vatican Journalist, Javier Martinez Brocal and learn all we need to know about what happens when a pope dies or steps down, Billy has a question about baptism and confirmation, Jermaine tells about two new books and we reconnect with singer/songwriter Kate Curran who has new music. Email Deacon Pedro […]
The final lessons of John XXIII and Benedict XVI G.K. Chesterton once wrote: “It is of the new things that men tire… of fashions and proposals and improvements and change. It is the old things that startle and intoxicate. It is the old things that are young.” This was the paradoxical justification Chesterton gave for […]
Today it’s not uncommon to hear some form of the following statement regarding the pontificate of Pope Francis: “I can’t believe he’s only been pope for two years, it feels like he’s been around a lot longer!” This intuition surfaces around anniversaries when people tend to reflect on what Francis has accomplished. Most would agree […]
This past week Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna participated in the Leadership Conference at Holy Trinity Brompton, an Anglican parish in the heart of downtown London. Cardinal Schoenborn’s presentation was more of a Question and Answer session with Holy Trinity pastor Nicky Gumbel. He spoke about Christian Unity, Pope Francis, the Conclave, and was also […]
Do you remember where you were when the white smoke appeared, heralding the election of Pope Francis? That will always be an easy question for me, since I was in the S+L studio doing live commentary. The third smoke signal of the conclave looked distinctly different from the first two, which were easily discernible as […]
In less than a week Pope Francis has delivered several surprises: he called the Superior General of the Jesuits, nearly giving the receptionist a heart attack, made an impromptu visit to a nearby hospital to visit his friend Cardinal Mejia, who had a heart attack during the conclave, and decided to celebrate Mass at the […]