
Jesuitical
Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
The story of the first quadriplegic Catholic priest on the road to sainthood
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley share a live interview recorded at 6ABC studios in Philadelphia, Pa., featuring prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Robert Hagan, O.S.A. Father Rob discusses the case for the canonization of Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., an Augustinan friar who was the first quadriplegic ordained in the Catholic Church and whose life—according to Father Rob—was a miracle.
Zac, Ashley and Father Rob discuss:
Father Rob’s vocation story and why Father Bill inspired him to become an Augustinian priest
How Father Bill’s radical dependence on others and unwavering faith in the midst of great suffering inspired those around him
The case for Father Bill’s canonization
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley unpack recent backlash against the Charlotte diocese for a leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions; The Catholic University of America in Washington’s two new degrees in artificial intelligence; and Pope Leo and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s first phone call.
BE PART OF THE FIRST-EVER JESUITICAL RETREAT!
Join us at the studio and headquarters of America Media in New York City for two days of community, prayer and sharing stories of faith. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we make the podcast, meet fellow young Catholics, pray with America staff and editor in chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., share meals and craft your own faith story with accompaniment from our team. Sign up here! We can’t wait to meet you.
Jesuitical Young Adult Retreat: What’s Your Story?
Open to ages 21-39
Friday, June 27th (evening) + Saturday, June 28th (all day)
New York, NY
Friday: America Media Office – 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
Saturday: Jesuits USA East Province – 39 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
Cost: $100
Housing: Participants are responsible for their own lodging in NYC
Capacity: The retreat will be capped at 30 participants. First come, first served.
Links for further reading:
Jesuitical Storytelling Retreat
Who is Fr. Bill Atkinson?
Meet Fr. Bill Atkinson, OSA–the first quadriplegic Catholic priest
Green Bananas: The Wisdom of Father Bill Atkinson
Charlotte diocese faces backlash for leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions
Catholic University of America to launch new degrees in A.I.
Pope Leo XIV and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have first phone call
Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A,, found God beyond the labels that divide us
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

May 30, 2025 • 1h 2min
Exodus 90 Founder and CEO on asceticism, masculinity and becoming uncommonly free
Joining Zac and Ashley on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” is Jamie Baxter, Founder & CEO of Exodus 90. The program, which helps men to strengthen their faith through prayer, asceticism and fraternity, faced some early skepticism from the Church—and the Jesuitical team—that led to valuable innovation.
Zac, Ashley and Jamie discuss:
Jamie’s conversion story, going to seminary and ultimately discerning out
How the idea for Exodus 90 originated and the challenge of being an entrepreneur in the Catholic Church
What asceticism can teach men about life, sacrifice, community and finding God
Healthy (and unhealthy) “Catholic masculinity” and men’s spiritual formation
BE PART OF THE FIRST-EVER JESUITICAL RETREAT!
Join us at the studio and headquarters of America Media in New York City for two days of community, prayer and sharing stories of faith. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we make the podcast, meet fellow young Catholics, pray with America staff and editor-in-chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., share meals and craft your own faith story with accompaniment from our team. Sign up here! We can’t wait to meet you.
Jesuitical Young Adult Retreat: What’s Your Story?
Open to ages 21-39
Friday, June 27th (evening) + Saturday, June 28th (all day)
New York, NY
Friday: America Media Office – 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
Saturday: Jesuits USA East Province – 39 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028
Cost: $100
Housing: Participants are responsible for their own lodging in NYC
Capacity: The retreat will be capped at 30 participants. First come, first served.
Links for further reading:
Jesuitical Storytelling Retreat
Exodus 90
Jamie Baxter’s life and conversion story
Do I really have to give up the big game during Exodus 90?!
Fasting, praying and working out: What ‘Exodus 90’ gets right—and wrong—about asceticism for men
Podcast: Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus 90?
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

May 23, 2025 • 56min
Pope Leo XIV: The overlooked experiences that will shape his papacy
On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac are joined by Mark Francis, C.S.V., who was a seminary classmate of Pope Leo (then known as Bob Prevost) at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in the late 1970s. Father Mark is the provincial of the Chicago province of the Viatorian community, and he describes Pope Leo as a thoughtful and sensitive leader—even in their seminary days.
Zac, Ashley, and Fr. Mark discuss:
Pope Leo’s formation at C.T.U., where he learned alongside women and engaged with social justice issues
How Pope Leo’s language skills, governing experience and global perspective will be key assets in his papacy
Why efforts to put Pope Leo in a box are doomed to fail
Links for further reading:
Jesuitical Storytelling Retreat
Podcast: Inside Pope Leo XIV’s first week
Pope Leo XIV, in first U.S. appointment, names San Diego’s new bishop
Pope Leo’s first audience: God’s love is generous, not calculating
Pope Leo’s Chicago roots: a conversation with Cardinal Cupich
Leo XIV: An American pope for the end of American empire?
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 Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 12, 2025 • 33min
What Pope Leo’s first days tell us about his priorities
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the first days of Leo XIV’s historic papacy.
Today, Pope Leo met with members of the Vatican press corps and the thousands of other media in Rome covering his election, telling them to be peacemakers and calling for the release of all imprisoned journalists.
On our final episode recorded in Rome, the team discusses:
How Pope Leo related to the media, and the importance of his message of peace and truth in a world threatened by war and the rise of A.I.
Pope Leo’s meeting with the College of Cardinals on Saturday, in which he signaled that he would continue the work started by Pope Francis
Pope Leo’s “honeymoon” period—and the opposition he will inevitably face
This episode features:
Sebastian Gomes, America’s executive editor of audio and video
Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent
Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of imprisoned journalists, tells media to be peacemakers
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s address to the media
Pope Leo XIV’s message to the cardinals: Vatican II and Pope Francis are here to stay
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first formal address to the College of Cardinals
Interview: Chicago’s Cardinal Cupich on why the cardinals chose Pope Leo XIV
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May 11, 2025 • 23min
Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian friar. Here's what that means
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, the team discusses the Augustinian (and American) roots of Pope Leo XIV.
They discuss:
Pope Leo XIV is an alum of Villanova University. What’s the atmosphere is like on campus right now?
The Augustinian roots of Pope Leo: the intellectual, spiritual and social principles that will lead his ministry
How poverty, chastity and obedience are a path to freedom and joy
Subscribe to America to get our extensive coverage of the historic election of Pope Leo XIV at: https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV’s first Sunday blessing: Appeals for peace, vocations and happy Mother’s Day.
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first formal address to the College of Cardinals
Pope Leo XIV’s message to the cardinals: Vatican II and Pope Francis are here to stay
Pope Leo XIV: What to expect in the coming days
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first homily
Who was Pope Leo XIII?
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May 9, 2025 • 25min
What Pope Leo XIV’s speedy election means for the Catholic Church
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O'Connell speaks to Colleen Dulle and Sam Sawyer, SJ about the unexpectedly quick election of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on the fourth ballot in the conclave.
They discuss:
What the speedy election tell us about the conclave?
Why a pope from the U.S. was thought to be "impossible", and why it happened anyway.
Analyzing Leo XIV's first address to the world and homily to the cardinals.
Who was Leo XIII? Who is Leo XIV in light of his legacy?
Leo XIV was once a poor missionary in Peru and a capable administrator on a global stage
Subscribe to America to get our extensive coverage of the historic election of Pope Leo XIV at: https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV: What to expect in the coming days
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first homily
Who was Pope Leo XIII?
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May 8, 2025 • 21min
Habemus papam! The first American pope is elected, and we love him.
Welcome to the America magazine conclave podcast. We are thrilled to join the church in welcoming Pope Leo XIV!
Our team was just in St. Peter’s Square for the historic election, and we’re here with first reactions and some important details about the life and ministry of the missionary Augustinian friar turned pope: the now former-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost.
Links from the show:
Robert Francis Prevost elected first American pope
Peru rejoices for their former bishop: Pope Leo XIV
Prepare to be surprised by the next pope
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
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May 8, 2025 • 24min
There's only one thing left for Catholics to do: pray.
Do we really trust the Holy Spirit to guide the election of a pope? What does that trust feel like? Are we hopeful or fearful for what is to come? Why does it feel so hard to pray in Rome sometimes?
The cardinals have asked for our prayers repeatedly in the run-up to the conclave. While they are sequestered away on the second day of conclave, Sebastian Gomes, Ashley McKinless, Zac Davis and J.D. Long García talk about what their prayer has been like while covering the lead-up to the conclave.
Read more:
Conclave watch: Which cardinals are likely contenders?
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 43min
Black smoke on first vote. But what happens after a pope is elected?
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:
The protocols being followed by the cardinals in conclave
The “habemus papam” moment, what the pope wears and other telling symbolic gestures
What happens in the days immediately following the election of a pope?
This episode features:
Sam Sawyer, S.J., America’s editor in chief
Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast
David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center for Religion and Culture
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
Links from the show:
Cardinal Re’s pre-conclave homily: ‘Love is the only force capable of changing the world.’
Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope
What time will we see black or white smoke? Past conclaves give clues.
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May 6, 2025 • 33min
Where the cardinals stand one day before the conclave
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses the frontrunners entering the conclave, and explains how the voting could quickly confirm papabile lists or pivot to an unexpected candidate.
Featuring:
Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History
Colleen Dulle, co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast
Sam Sawyer, S.J., editor in chief of America
Read more at: https://www.americamagazine.org
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