White Smoke - Pope Leo XIV the American Pope

Pope Leo XIV might be the leader of the Catholic Church, but in Chicago, he's also a die-hard White Sox fan. In this episode of White Smoke, we cover the moving ceremony at Guaranteed Rate Field where the Sox honored their most famous fan with a mural in Section 140—the very seat he once shared with his late friend Ed Schmit. Executive VP Brooks Boyer confirms the Pope has a standing invite to thr...

Pope Leo XIV welcomes U.S. Vice President JD Vance for their first in-person meeting since the papal election, following Leo’s call for Catholic mediation in global conflicts. The two discuss Ukraine, diplomacy, and shared values. Plus: the Pope reaffirms Church teaching on marriage and immigration, and we revisit the incredible story of a Chicago couple married by “Father Bob” before he became po...

Pope Leo the Fourteenth, the first American pontiff, officially began his papacy with a historic Mass at Saint Peter’s Square attended by over 200,000 faithful. In this episode, we recount the powerful symbolism, dignitary visits—including Vice President JD Vance—and the Pope’s call for global peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. We explore the sacred rituals of the Fisherman’s Ring and the palliu...

Following his installation Mass, Pope Leo the Fourteenth hits the ground running. Explore the new pontiff’s early schedule and bold agenda—from his evolving stance on LGBTQ+ issues to his surprising prioritization of artificial intelligence. Also in this episode: a look at his Marian-Augustinian coat of arms and what his motto reveals about his spiritual philosophy. It’s a new era in the Vatican—a...

On the eve of his inauguration, we hear from Pope Leo’s brother, who just wants to mow the lawn and drink a beer. Plus, three close friends from Illinois share heartfelt memories and reveal what it’s like when your buddy becomes pontiff. From surprise selfies to deep-dish debates, this episode captures the humanity behind the papal headlines ahead of Sunday’s formal Mass. Unlock an ad-free podcast...

Chicago’s South Side is embracing Pope Leo the Fourteenth like a hometown MVP. Meet the fan behind the viral Pope jersey and hear how White Sox merch is flying off the shelves. Then, the Kelce brothers weigh in on Leo’s rise from the streets of Chicago to the Vatican—and stir some Catholic controversy. Plus, Pope Leo meets with Opus Dei and faces scrutiny over past abuse cases. Unlock an ad-free p...

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, continues making headlines with a Vatican tennis meeting with Jannik Sinner, record-breaking trading card sales surpassing NBA stars, and his brother Louis Prevost's controversial Facebook posts. Get complete coverage of the Pope's social media debut, surprise visit to Augustinian brothers, and family dynamics that have the world talking. From Chicago to t...

John Prevost, the Pope's brother was speaking to reporters, when his phone kept buzzingOne reporter shared "That device kept buzzing incessantly during our whole talk. John mentioned there was also a tablet going off somewhere downstairs - said it could be his brother calling."When John finally excused himself to check the basement tablet, he discovered what every sibling dreads: multiple missed c...

What transpired within the sealed confines of the Sistine Chapel offers fascinating insights into papal politics. According to sources close to the conclave, Cardinal Parolin initially led the voting through Thursday lunchtime, accumulating between forty-five and fifty-five votes - a substantial showing but still far from the eighty-nine votes required for the necessary two-thirds majority. Cardin...

Newly elected Pope Leo the Fourteenth delivered an impassioned plea against warfare during his initial Sunday appearance at Vatican City, urging international leaders to pursue peaceful resolutions. Addressing ongoing global hostilities, the recently chosen Catholic leader advocated for permanent reconciliation in Ukraine, demanded humanitarian pauses in Gaza, and expressed satisfaction regarding...

As Pope Leo XIV prepares for his first public Angelus blessing, we explore the legacy behind his chosen name. From Leo the Great to Leo the Thirteenth, what does “Leo” signal about his vision for the papacy? We unpack the theological weight and symbolic power of one of the Church’s oldest names—and what it might reveal about this quiet, humble American pope. Plus: fresh insight from his brother, w...

Villanova University erupted with pride as alumnus Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. In this episode, we explore the campus reaction, his Villanova roots, and how Knicks fans are reading divine signs in the playoffs. Also: the surprising sports debate shaking Chicago—was the new pope really a Cubs fan or a Sox man?  And farewell to the surprise social media stars of the conclave… the Vatican sea...

In his first official Mass as pope, Pope Leo XI, America’s first-ever pontiff—stunned the Vatican with a homily delivered in American English inside the Sistine Chapel. We recap the historic service, explore early signs of his pastoral style, and hear from those who know him best, including family and Vatican insiders. Plus: what his choice of simple black shoes may say about his approach to power...

The day after any papal election is a blur of prayer, protocol, and logistics. But it’s also the beginning of a delicate transition. Pope Leo the Fourteenth inherits not just the white cassock, but an intricate network of expectations—spiritual, political, and bureaucratic. So what comes next? First, the ceremonial obligations. He will celebrate Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinal elector...

It was just after six p.m. Vatican time when white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the bells of Saint Peter’s Basilica began to ring. Thousands gathered in the square below, erupting in cheers. Nuns wept. Tourists cheered. And somewhere inside the Apostolic Palace, the new pope was changing into his white cassock. Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago had just been elected as the...

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo the 14th, has made history as the first American to lead the Catholic Church in its 2,000-year existence. Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 14, 1955, the 69-year-old pontiff brings a unique background as both an American and Peruvian citizen, creating a bridge between North and South American Catholic traditions at a crucial time for the global ch...

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel's chimney has billowed into the sky, prompting waves of cheers in Saint Peter's Square and signaling to the world that the 267th pope has been determined. Pope Leo XIV, from Chicago, is the first American Pope. White smoke poured from the chimney as bells pealed from the towering basilica, confirming that the 133 cardinal electors who had been sequestered inside...

The Cardinals gather for a second day of voting in the Sistine Chapel, with five inconclusive ballots so far. Learn about the historical timeline of papal elections, tensions within the Church, the popular Fantapapa prediction game, and why some are connecting this conclave to an ancient apocalyptic prophecy. Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any...

As The Conclave begins, some security measures are under way, and the Cardinals are given dossiers on the candidates. We take a look at the updated betting odds Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other pla...

You can wager on everything, including who might be the next Pope.  We take a look at the odds. Also, the Popemobile finds a new purpose. Get the show without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus .    Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get a...

When asked to support prison ministry initiatives financially, even as Vatican resources dwindled, Francis did not hesitate to use his personal savings. "Don't worry, I have something in my account," he told Ambarus, before transferring 200,000 euros for the needs of the incarcerated—money he might have kept for his own use in his final days. A poignant detail revealed after his death showed that...

Inside the Vatican, thousands of sainthood causes languish in limbo - not rejected, but deliberately delayed. This episode investigates the most contested candidates awaiting judgment, from wartime Pope Pius XII and his disputed Holocaust record to American media pioneer Archbishop Fulton Sheen and radical social activist Dorothy Day. We reveal the power struggles that determine which causes advan...

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, expects the upcoming papal conclave to last longer than the relatively brief gathering that elected Pope Francis in 2013, the German prelate revealed Tuesday in Rome. "I hope for a short conclave, but I believe everything is possible," Woelki told EWTN Germany. "I expect it won't go as quickly as the last conclave. But maybe I'll be proven wrong. I...

 Martin Scorsese has made a documentary with the late Pope Francis that will feature conversations between the pontiff and Scorsese, including what the film-makers say was the pope's final in-depth on-camera interview. Aldeas – A New Story will detail the work of Scholas Occurrentes, a non-profit, international organisation founded by the pope in 2013 to promote what it termed "Culture of Encounte...

Francis not only dressed modestly but actively de-emphasized traditional clerical attire, reportedly teasing one overdressed cardinal by asking if he had "come dressed for a wedding." He sometimes referenced certain styles in his homilies, describing long black cassocks and wide-brimmed saturno hats as symbols of "traditionalism and rigidity" within the church. His everyday accessories included a...