Jesuitical

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak to Noah Banasiewicz, S.J. Noah is a Jesuit scholastic and lecturer in the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago. Ashley, Zac and Noah talk about: - The opportunities and pitfalls of evangelizing on social media - The fine line between evangelist and Catholic influencer - How media theory can help us understand the evolution of evangelization In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the controversial ICE nativity scene at St. Susanna Catholic Church in Dedham, Mass., and Pope Leo’s comments on Ukraine and the Trump administration. They also break down the new Vatican document on ordaining women to the diaconate.  In parish announcements, Zac and Ashley announce that they will be filming a mailbag episode and call for questions from the audience. If you have a question for the “Jesuitical” team, please send your questions to [email protected] by Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. In As One Friend Speaks to Another, Ashley and Zac discuss their thoughts on Pope Leo’s explanation for not praying at the Blue Mosque in Turkey.  Links for further reading:  Noah’s article in America, “Catholic influencers have a media theory (and evangelization) problem” Boston archdiocese tells church to remove ICE message from Nativity, but pastor refuses for now Pope Leo explains why he appeared not to pray at the Blue Mosque in Turkey Vatican report says no to ordaining women deacons—for now Women Deacons and the Catholic Church | An Explainer video from America You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Ashley and Zac debrief Pope Leo XIV's first international trip to Turkey and Lebanon, where he preached a strong message of peace and Christian unity, and shared insights from the conclave that elected him. Then, they speak to their colleague and America's senior audio producer, Maggi Van Dorn, about the new season of her podcast, "Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols." They reflect on Maggi's reporting trip to Coventry, England, a place of historic violence and home of the haunting Christmas hymn, "The Coventry Carol". Links: Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew urge Christian unity at Nicaea commemoration In Turkey, Pope Leo pushes for unity and peace—within and beyond Christianity Pope Leo makes a strong pitch for peace in war-threatened Lebanon Pope Leo meets survivors of Beirut port explosion and calls for peace as he concludes Lebanon visit Pope Leo on what he was thinking inside the conclave Listen to “Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and at AmericaMagazine.org/Hark You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at AmericaMagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac chat with Daniel Corrou, S.J. Father Corrou is a Jesuit priest from the USA East Province who is currently the regional director of Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East & North Africa. Father Corrou lives and works in Lebanon, where Pope Leo XIV will visit from November 30 to December 2, 2025. Ashley, Zac and Father Corrou talk about: - The significance of Pope Leo choosing Lebanon for one of his first papal visits - Lebanon’s complex socio-political and religious context - How the region has been affected by U.S. foreign aid cuts In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the biggest news to come out of the U.S.C.C.B. fall meeting, held last week in Baltimore: the election of a new president and a “special message” on immigration. In As One Friend Speaks to Another, Ashley and Zac try to find God in a board meeting. Links for further reading:  - Support Father Corrou’s work at the Jesuit Refugee Service - Analysis: The U.S. bishops showed their unity on behalf of immigrants—and may have repaired their relationship to Rome - U.S. bishops release rare message on Trump’s immigration crackdown in show of ‘fundamental unity - New USCCB president Coakley talks immigration, Viganò criticism and Pope Leo - Archbishop Coakley, Bishop Flores elected president and vice president of USCCB - Pope Leo backs U.S. bishops in opposing Trump’s immigration crackdown You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on an interview-only episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Sister Theresa Aletheia and Sister Danielle Victoria, founding members of the Sisters of the Little Way, a private association of the faithful intending to become a religious institute, who live a mission of listening and solidarity with people who have been hurt by the church. Ashley, Zac and the sisters talk about: - The ins and outs of starting a religious order - The important and complicated mission of helping abuse survivors - Crises of faith from abuse and how to overcome them  Links for further reading:  Sisters of the Little Way website Descent Into Light Podcast You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac chat with Chris Cimorelli. Chris is the director of the National Institute for Newman Studies and the editor of the Newman Studies Journal, and an expert on St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, the newest doctor of the church. Ashley, Zac and Chris talk about: - Newman’s journey from Anglicanism to the Church of Rome - Newman’s many (and lasting) contributions to Catholic thought - Why Catholics of every theological stripe love Newman In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss Pope Leo’s recent comments on the importance of providing pastoral care to migrants being held in detention centers throughout the United States. They also look at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica becoming the world’s tallest church last week. Finally, they unpack the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s new document on the proper titles for the Virgin Mary.  In As One Friend Speaks to Another, Ashley and Zac speak to Simcha Fischer about her recent article for America: “JD Vance’s immigration comments are an insult to our Catholic faith.” Links for further reading:  National Institute for Newman Studies Pope Leo’s homily declaring St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the church St. John Henry Newman’s unique approach to conscience Pope Leo declares St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the church and co-patron of Catholic education National Institute for Newman Studies Pope Leo says ICE should allow ‘pastoral workers’ to bring detained migrants Communion Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia becomes the world’s tallest church Vatican officially says no to controversial titles for Mary: ‘Co-redemptrix’ and ‘Mediatrix of all Graces’ JD Vance’s immigration comments are an insult to our Catholic faith You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices