Jesuitical

What makes a horror movie “Catholic”? That’s what hosts Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless ask on this week’s special Halloween episode of “Jesuitical.” They’re joined by Ryan Duns, S.J., a professor and theologian at Marquette University. Known for his love of scary movies, Father Ryan is the author of Theology of Horror: The Hidden Depths of Popular Films. Together, they discuss the Catholic fascination and taboo around horror. (Spoiler alert! The second half of this conversation reveals some plot points from “The Exorcist,” “Obsession” and “Sinners.”) Chapters: 0:00 Intro 4:33 Interview with Fr. Ryan Duns, S.J. 4:55 Addressing the clown in the room 6:33 Why horror films should be taken seriously 9:42 The best way to experience horror films 14:11 Gratuity of horror movies 19:09 The supernatural in horror movies 21:51 The Exorcist 32:02 Obsession 41:00 Sinners 54:01 Outro Links from the show: About Ryan Duns, S.J. ‘Father Fright’ reveals top five horror flick picks for 2026 Marquette Bookshelf: ‘Theology of Horror: The Hidden Depths of Popular Films’ ‘The Exorcist,’ as a work of art, fostered an understanding of Catholic theology. ‘Sinners’: a tale of temptation and transcendence Faith and Fine Wine: A Jesuit Pilgrimage to Italy Support Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do U.S. politics and Catholicism intersect? On this week’s roundtable episode, “Jesuitical” host Ashley McKinless speaks with America’s chief correspondent, Kevin Clarke, and Father Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and senior analyst at Religion News Service, about today’s “signs of the times.” Together, Ashley, Kevin and Father Reese discuss Pope Leo’s health post-cancer surgery, immigrant detention as a religious liberty issue, the death penalty and how these all tie into how Catholics are feeling about politics ahead of the midterm elections. *Note: After this was recorded, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo needs no further cancer treatment. Read the latest here: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/10/21/pope-leo-cancer-test-results-treatment Chapters: 00:00 Our topics this week 1:19 Pope Leo health update (Note: After this was recorded, the Vatican  6:22 Pope calls Putin and Zelensky 11:50 Archdiocese sues Trump administration 15:52 Religious liberty and the Sacraments 20:20 Catholics denounce public execution 26:40 Catholics are souring on Trump 31:51 A Pope Leo effect in America? Links from the show: The Fragility of the Pope  St. Louis archdiocese sues DHS and ICE to bring sacraments to immigrant detainees The death of the American conscience will be livestreamed USCCB President Condemns Plans for Livestream of Fort Hood Shooter's Execution as ‘a Barbaric Promotion of a Culture of Death’ Pope Francis: ‘death penalty inadmissible’     Pew: Trump’s support among Catholic voters drops heading into midterms How Catholics have defended free elections—and why they must do so again   Support Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the “Jesuitical” podcast, Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis speak with National Public Radio’s Scott Detrow about Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis and Scott’s new book, American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City. Scott shares his initial reaction to the pope’s lung surgery this week and provides insights into Leo’s medical history. Then, Scott, Zac and Ashley follow Robert Prevost’s incredible journey from Chicago to Peru to the Vatican and discuss what makes the first American pope uniquely qualified to lead the Catholic Church. Chapters 00:00 Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis 2:02 A surprise conclave 4:18 Scott reacts to Leo's cancer 7:37 How Catholics in Chicago shaped Leo 13:45 Leo's leadership style 17:45 Leo's vision of the church 20:44 An unlikely bishop 29:56 A cardinal, not a bureaucrat 32:38 Did Francis prepare Prevost to be pope? 35:12 Pope Leo, the American 39:38 Open questions about Pope Leo Links from the show: - Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer, Vatican announces: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/10/13/pope-leo-diagnosed-with-lung-cancer-vatican-announces - Pope Leo is walking, eating and receiving therapy after lung cancer surgery: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/10/14/pope-leo-lung-cancer-recovery-walking - Pope Leo has ‘resumed work’ three days after lung cancer surgery: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/10/15/pope-leo-cancer-lung-surgery-recovery-work - What to know about Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/10/14/what-to-know-about-pope-leos-cancer-diagnosis - American Pope: Leo XIV’s Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250446053/americanpope - No one expected Leo to be pope — except everyone who knew him as ‘Bob’: https://www.npr.org/2026/10/03/nx-s1-5987816/pope-leo-american-pope-book-excerpt - Sign up for our Vatican newsletter: https://www.americamagazine.org/sign-up-for-vatican-notebook-email-newsletter You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Support 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,” hosts Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless speak with Joseph de Viveiros, C.R., about the pastoral consequences of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking 2016 document on family life, “Amoris Laetitia.” Father Joseph is a priest of the Congregation of the Resurrection, and chaplain for the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board in North Bay, Ontario. As Pope Leo gathers bishops from around the world at the Vatican to review the document’s implementation, Zac, Ashley and Father Joseph discuss the complex challenges facing families and young couples, and how a lot of work needs to be done, especially by priests, to realize Pope Francis’ vision. Chapters: 00:00 Auguri Ashley McKinless! 1:50 Why we're talking about 'Amoris Laetitia' 7:45 The Christian ideal vs. lived reality 12:23 People's lives are messy 16:30 Critics of Francis' approach 21:57 How to discern in conscience 25:58 How the Church forms couples 36:20 Advice for priests 37:45 Why you should get married 43:25 Parish announcements: auguri! 44:33 Faith sharing: grace in sacraments Links:  Read “Amoris Laetitia” Amoris Laetitia: For a new proclamation of Gospel with families and for families Bishops are meeting at the Vatican next week to discuss ‘Amoris Laetitia.’ Here’s what you need to know. What you need to know about Pope Leo’s October meeting on marriage and family You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Support “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, Colleen Dulle joins hosts Zac Davis and Sebasian Gomes to discuss Pope Leo’s recent visit to France, including his messages on assisted dying, European identity and the role of the Catholic Church in a secular country. Colleen also reflects on her experience of traveling with the pope for the first time. ⁠Sign up for Colleen’s newsletter, Vatican Notebook⁠! Chapters: 00:00 First time on the papal plane! 4:02 Why Pope Leo went to France 6:45 Catholic revival? 9:43 Secularity in France 14:02 Pro-life issues in France 17:57 Is Europe a "Christian" culture? 24:55 Pope meets abuse victims 34:08 Liturgy and division Links: ⁠Pope Leo’s trip to France won’t be a victory lap—and that’s a good thing.⁠ ⁠Vatican Notebook: Pope Leo navigates tensions between secularism and Catholic history on France visit⁠ ⁠‘More than a monument’: Pope Leo’s speech at the newly renovated Notre-Dame⁠ ⁠Pope Leo draws 800,000 to Mass in the heart of Paris⁠ ⁠Vatican Notebook: Pope Leo addresses French conversion boom, warns against complacency⁠ ⁠Pope speaks out against French assisted-dying and abortion laws in Lourdes visit⁠ ⁠Mother: Pope Leo’s blessing of special-needs daughter recognizes ‘segment of humanity often set aside’⁠ ⁠Pope Leo meets with survivors of abuse in Lourdes⁠ ⁠Pope Leo: Europe must return to path of dialogue, not military buildup⁠ ⁠Pope Leo is not ‘in panic mode’ about an A.I. catastrophe, but ‘we can’t just sit back’ and do nothing⁠ You can sign up for Colleen's 'Vatican Notebook' newsletter ⁠here⁠: ⁠https://www.americamagazine.org/sign-up-for-vatican-notebook-email-newsletter⁠ Follow Colleen on Instagram: ⁠@colleendulle⁠  Support the show by becoming a ⁠subscriber to America Magazine⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices