Pope Francis health update, and a Jesuit guide to thinking about science and faith

Joining Ashley and Zac to cover the cosmos on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” is Guy Consolmagno, S.J., the director of the Vatican Observatory and author of the new book, A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science. A research astronomer, physicist and Jesuit brother, he has served at the Vatican Observatory since 1993, and in 2015 Pope Francis appointed him director. He is the author of God’s Mechanics and co-author of Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Turn Left at Orion.

Zac, Ashley and Brother Guy discuss: 

- The relationship between science, theology and faith—how science points to God and God enables science

- Brother Guy’s passion for teaching science and inspiring “oh my God” moments in his students

- Brother Guy’s vocation story and the history of Jesuits making scientific advancements 

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley unpack Pope Francis’ recent hospitalization for a respiratory infection, later confirmed as double pneumonia. As of Thursday, Feb. 20, he is stable, without fever and in good spirits. 

Links for further reading: 

A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science

Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia, ‘alert and responsive,’ according to Italian PM

Cardinals push back on rumors Pope Francis will resign while in hospital

Three ways Pope Francis should fix the procedures for papal illness, death and elections

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