The US has been in a steep fertility decline for nearly two decades, and a new study may shed some light on one of the causes. The study used mobile coverage maps cross-referenced with fertility data to conclude that the release of the iPhone, the first modern smartphone, is associated with an accelerated decline in fertility that has continued to the present day. Marcus looks at the numbers.

Further Reading

Smartphones and Fertility: Studies Suggest a Link — and Complex Implications

Pope Leo XIV cautioned that the planned ordination of Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) bishops could push the group toward schism, urging them again to stop and remain in communion with the Church. Matthew Bunson has more on this and other Church news.

Further Reading

Pope warns SSPX bishop ordinations risk deepening schism

Federal judge says government can deposit money to seize diocesan land for border fencing

Ohio Gov. DeWine urges state to abolish death penalty, says there is no ‘moral justification’ for it

Guest Info

Matthew Bunson is Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News and a Senior Fellow at St Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He’s the author or co-author of more than 50 books including the first English-language biography of Pope Francis and The Encyclopedia of Catholic History. Follow him on twitter at MattBunson. Register Radio airs Saturdays at 4 pm and Sundays at 11 am on Ave Maria Radio

As the first American pope, Leo XIV is probably the most famous American Catholic in history. And in taking this “title,” he likely replaces soon-to-be Blessed Fulton J Sheen. It’s a blessed irony that the cause of our once best-known Catholic may well have been picked up and advanced by our new best-known Catholic. Paul Kengor has more.

Further Reading

What Pope Leo Means for Fulton Sheen

American Pontiff: Pope Leo XIV and His Plan to Heal the Church

Guest Info

Paul Kengor is a professor of political science at Grove City College, editor of The American Spectator, and author of more than two dozen books. His latest is American Pontiff: Pope Leo XIV and His Plan to Heal the Church

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to address God as our Father. God seeks sons who want to live in His presence, and the entire story of salvation history concerns divine sonship. Marcus has more.

The American theologian Msgr. Charles Gusmer once observed that the Anointing of the Sick is the most misunderstood of the seven Sacraments of the Church. But it is a Sacrament with deep roots in Scripture and Tradition. We dive into its meaning with Michael Patrick Barber.

Further Reading

The Bible and the Anointing of the Sick

Guest Info

Michael Patrick Barber is the author of The Bible and the Anointing of the Sick and several other books. He is professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology.

Bishop Joseph Strickland recently wrote a scathing critique of Magnifica Humanitas, claiming that it focuses too much on the human person and shifts our focus away from God. But in reading the document, you can see a clear and consistent Christological theme. Marcus has more.

Any day now, the Supreme Court will decide whether America’s landmark law protecting the religious freedom of prisoners has any real teeth. The case concerns Damon Landor, a Rastafarian prisoner who grew out his dreadlocks as an expression of his faith, and who was forced by the guards to shave his head. The question before the Court is whether Landor can sue that officer personally for money damages. It is, at bottom, a question about whether rights without remedies are rights at all. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer joins us.

Further Reading

SCOTUS: Are Rights Without Remedies Rights at All?

Guest Info

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is a legal analyst for EWTN News.

Thousands of books have been written about St. John Paul the Great, one of the most influential popes in modern history. But very little has been said about his predecessor, who only sat on the Chair of Peter for about a month. Mo Guernon joins us with a look at his life.

Further Reading

Love is a Journey: The Inspiring Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul I

Guest Info

Mo Guernon is the author of Love is a Journey: The Inspiring Life and Legacy of Pope John Paul I

Recent biomedical news headlines have exposed the deadly lack of ethics in research involving human embryos. Dr. Dieter Egli, a Columbia University developmental cell biologist, claims his team successfully “base edited” the genome of several human embryos. Why is this generally being hailed as a scientific milestone rather than a giant ethical violation? Dr. Joseph Meaney joins us.

Further Reading

‘Base Editing’ Embryos’ Takes a Further Unethical Step

National Catholic Bioethics Center

Guest Info

Joseph Meaney, Ph.D., is a senior ethicist and past president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

Today’s readings contain a consistent theme of faithfulness. God’s divine mercy flows through the human heart that seeks him. Those who are called to public ministry ought to have lives that are overflowing in the divine love of the Lord. Marcus has more.