On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac are joined by America magazine’s editor in chief, Sam Sawyer, S.J., and America editor at large James Martin, S.J., to discuss the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 in the early morning of April 21, 2025. He was the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope.

Zac, Ashley, Sam and Jim discuss:

• Their personal encounters with the pope and how Francis impacted their priesthoods, careers and prayer life
• Pope Francis’ gifts as a pastor—and whether he will have a lasting impact on the papacy
• How Pope Francis responded to criticism and sought to preserve the unity of the church

Links for further reading:
Pope Francis, trailblazing Jesuit with a heart for the poor, dies at 88: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/pope-francis-dead-249946
How Pope Francis changed the place of women in the church: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/pope-francis-legacy-women-church-leadership-249956
Pope Francis never stopped being a Jesuit:https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-jesuit-obituary-249957
Trump, Vance and Biden react to the death of Pope Francis: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/pope-francis-death-trump-vance-biden-250442
A prayer for our beloved Pope Francis: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/prayer-pope-francis-death-250438
Vatican releases Pope Francis’ final testament: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/04/21/pope-final-will-testament-250443

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