Dr. Joseph Capizzi, Dean of Theology at The Catholic University of America, dives into the fascinating world of papal conclaves. He unravels the process cardinals use to elect a pope and discusses how the papacy’s influence has evolved over centuries. Capizzi highlights the Church’s surprising growth in Africa and Asia while exploring modern moral issues, including the Church's stance on slavery. He also contrasts the real-life complexities of the conclave with its dramatic portrayals in popular culture. A captivating listen for anyone curious about faith and politics!
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insights INSIGHT
Role and Authority of the Pope
The Pope is seen as "first among equals" among bishops, based on scriptural interpretations of Peter's role.
He holds both spiritual and governing authority in the Catholic Church.
insights INSIGHT
Historical Political Power of Popes
Historically popes wielded strong political power, even compelling emperors to seek their forgiveness.
Since the French Revolution, popes act more as moral leaders than political rulers.
insights INSIGHT
Pope Francis' Pastoral Focus
The papacy is inherently conservative, tasked with preserving tradition.
Pope Francis emphasized practical, humble engagement over doctrinal obsession.
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In this novel, Dan Brown introduces Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, who is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. This discovery leads to the revelation of the resurgence of the ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, which has a vendetta against the Catholic Church. Langdon teams up with Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, to follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols across Rome to prevent the Illuminati from carrying out their deadly plans, including the detonation of an antimatter bomb in Vatican City. The story is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, exploring the battle between science and religion[3][5][4].
The Da Vinci Code
Dan Brown
In 'The Da Vinci Code', Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris after the murder of the curator, Jacques Saunière. Along with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon embarks on a perilous journey to decipher cryptic clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The plot revolves around an alternative religious history, suggesting that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a child, and their descendants are protected by the Priory of Sion. The novel is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the astonishing conclusion.
The Conclave
Michael Bracewell
Conclave
Lawrence D. Klausner
Conclave, written by Lawrence D. Klausner, is a novel that explores themes and settings that were relevant at the time of its publication in 1981. The book is known for its engaging narrative, although specific details about the plot are not widely available. It is a work of fiction that has been cataloged and sold through various bookstores and libraries.
Wednesday, May 7th marks the beginning of the conclave – the Catholic Church’s process of electing the next pope. Conclaves have traditionally been portrayed in our culture as shrouded in intrigue and back-room politicking. But, as theology expert Dr. Joseph Capizzi shows us, the 2000-year-old tradition is not that mysterious. He walks us through how cardinals elect a new pope, the political considerations they use to evaluate candidates, and how the Pope’s power in the world has changed over millennia. He evaluates the legacy and controversy surrounding Pope Francis. He explains why the Catholic Church is growing in Africa, Asia, and among young American men. They end with a discussion of how Christian moral theology evolved to address, and ultimately reject, the practice of slavery.
Dr. Joseph Capizzi is the Dean of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. He teaches in the areas of social and political theology, with a special interest in peace and war, citizenship, political authority, and Augustinian theology.
Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw 
