Leo XIV biographer on the pope’s cancer diagnosis and unlikely journey from Chicago to Rome

This week on the “Jesuitical” podcast, Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis speak with National Public Radio’s Scott Detrow about Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis and Scott’s new book, American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City. Scott shares his initial reaction to the pope’s lung surgery this week and provides insights into Leo’s medical history. Then, Scott, Zac and Ashley follow Robert Prevost’s incredible journey from Chicago to Peru to the Vatican and discuss what makes the first American pope uniquely qualified to lead the Catholic Church.

Chapters

00:00 Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis

2:02 A surprise conclave

4:18 Scott reacts to Leo's cancer

7:37 How Catholics in Chicago shaped Leo

13:45 Leo's leadership style

17:45 Leo's vision of the church

20:44 An unlikely bishop

29:56 A cardinal, not a bureaucrat

32:38 Did Francis prepare Prevost to be pope?

35:12 Pope Leo, the American