Fr. Bill McCormick, SJ, is a political scientist by trade and a current writer at the Vatican-sponsored, Jesuit-run journal La Civiltà Cattolica in Rome. Host Mike Jordan Laskey invited him onto the podcast for a special bonus episode on this moment of transition for the Catholic Church. They discussed the current mood in Rome; Pope Francis’ legacy; the Society of Jesus’ special connection to the papacy through its history; how Ignatian spirituality might inform our approach to the conclave and this period of change; what it means to believe the Holy Spirit is guiding the conclave without whispering a name into the cardinals’ ears; the papacy and celebrity culture; and more. We wanted to bring it to you before the conclave begins on Wednesday, and we hope it will help you get into the right frame of mind and heart in this very full, liminal period of time.

For further reading, courtesy of Fr. Bill:
Bishop Erik Varden, https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bishop-varden-were-never-passive

Fr. James Martin, SJ, https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/28/conclave-francis-new-pope-father-james-martin-250502 

Fr. Raymond De Souza, https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2025/04/26/the-liturgical-deaths-of-popes/

Fr. Bill's work at America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/bill-mccormick-sj

Fr. Bill's work at La Civiltà Cattolica: https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/author/william-mccormick/

AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

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www.jesuitmedialab.org/

BONUS AMDG: An Ignatian Approach to the Conclave with Fr. Bill McCormick, SJ

February 6 is the Feast of St. Paul Miki and Companions. Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit brother who was martyred with 25 other Catholics in Japan in 1597. Fr. Jody Magtoto, SJ, is a Filipino Jesuit missioned to Japan. He's spending a few months in the United States "interning" with the Jesuit Conference here in preparation for launching a communications office back in Japan. He shared a bit about St. Paul Miki and what it's like to be a Jesuit priest in a country less than 0.5% Catholic.

Being a Jesuit in Japan with Fr. Jody Magtoto, SJ

Jesuits and friends come together to look at the world through Ignatian eyes, always striving to live Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam -- For the Greater Glory of God. Hosted by Mike Jordan Laskey and Eric Clayton. Learn more at jesuits.org. A production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

BONUS AMDG: An Ignatian Approach to the Conclave with Fr. Bill McCormick, SJ

AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

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