Jesuitical

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak to Charles Camosy. Charlie teaches moral theology and bioethics at the Catholic University of America and is the author of 10 books, including Living and Dying Well: A Catholic Plan for Resisting Physician-Assisted Killing.

Ashley, Sebastian and Charlie discuss:

- How opposition to euthanasia transcends typical partisan camps

- The disability advocates on the frontlines in the fight against euthanasia

- The importance of learning to live well in order to die well

In Signs of the Times, Charlie speaks to the pro-life movement’s response to the second Trump administration and the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

 If you are having thoughts of suicide, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can find more resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here.

Links for further reading: 

Order Charlie’s book: Living and Dying Well: A Catholic Plan for Resisting Physician-Assisted Killing

Ahead of March for Life, pro-life movement faces key political challenges

Pro-life groups push back after Trump tells House GOP to be ‘flexible’ on taxpayer-funded abortions

Canada’s euthanasia regime: How many more will die in the name of ‘compassion’?

Vatican reaffirms, clarifies church teachings on end-of-life care

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This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak with Vatican expert Thomas Reese, S.J., a Jesuit priest who is a senior analyst at Religion News Service and former editor in chief of America magazine. 

Ashley, Sebastian and Father Reese discuss:

- The big takeaways from Pope Leo’s first consistory

- 101 on the recent history of the College of Cardinals 

- Whether Leo is continuing on the synodal path set by Pope Francis

In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Sebastian discuss Catholic reactions from Minnesota a week after the shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE officer. They also unpack the Vatican’s diplomatic involvement in Venezuela and the meeting between the new U.S.C.C.B. president, Archbishop Paul Coakley, and President Trump at the White House.

Finally, the hosts explain the history and significance of Pope Leo’s new papal staff.

 Links for further reading: 

- Read more from Father Reese at RNS

- Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year

- Pope Leo XIV’s papacy began today

- Pope Leo meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Machado

- Trump meets with US bishops’ president at White House

- Baptizing the lie about ICE and the killing of Renee Nicole Good

- Leo’s new papal staff highlights Christ’s victory over death

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This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Eric Sundrup, S.J., a Jesuit priest who is the vice president for mission and ministry and university chaplain at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Father Eric has also worked on “Jesuitical” since its inception (in 2017!) in a variety of roles; today, he continues to provide faith formation for the team. 

Ashley, Sebastian and Father Eric discuss:

- What spiritual practices “worked” for them in 2025—and what they want to leave behind

- How to approach Mass with fresh eyes and ears in the new year

- Why you shouldn’t beat yourself up about not meeting your prayer goals

In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Sebastian discuss the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and the next phase of Pope Leo’s pontificate. They unpack Catholic reactions to the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces and the recent news of Israel banning 37 humanitarian groups, including a Catholic aid group, from operating in Gaza.

Finally, Sebastian and Ashley talk about supposed divine intervention on the football field during last weekend’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens game.

 Links for further reading: 

- Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year

- Pope Leo XIV closes 2025 Holy Year with critique of consumerism and xenophobia

- Pope Leo XIV’s papacy began today

- Pope Leo’s first Extraordinary Consistory: What should we expect?

- Venezuela, Trump and the end of ‘Pax Americana’

- Inside Venezuela’s capital after Trump administration captures Maduro

- Pope Leo: ‘The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration.’

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Who’s the best TV priest? Should you name your kid after a saint? And what pilgrimage sites are on our bucket list? These are just a few of the questions Zac, Ashley and “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes tackle in our end-of-year mailbag episode!

Thanks to all the listeners who sent in questions for the hosts—we love hearing what’s on your minds. So don’t hesitate to reach out to [email protected] or on our Facebook page to let us know what you’d like us to discuss on the show. 

Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2026!

What’s on tap?

Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley

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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

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