What happens when a Harvard graduate, political speechwriter, and aspiring psychologist leaves it all behind to become a priest in Rome? In this fascinating conversation from the heart of the Eternal City, I sit down with Fr. John Wauck, an Opus Dei priest, professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, author, media commentator, and longtime Vatican insider. Having spent more than 30 years in Rome, Fr. Wauck has witnessed historic papal transitions, advised journalists covering the Vatican, and taught generations of students who now serve the Church around the world. We explore his remarkable journey from Chicago to Harvard, from writing speeches for U.S. political leaders to teaching literature and communications in Rome. Along the way, Fr. Wauck shares profound insights on why beauty, storytelling, and friendship remain some of the most powerful paths to truth in an increasingly secular world. This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the ideas and experiences that have shaped one of Rome's most respected Catholic communicators. If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves great conversations about faith, culture, and the search for truth. Sign up for our newsletter to receive future episodes, reflections, and stories of impact from Rome and beyond: https://mailchi.mp/puhcf/newsletter-s... The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross forms priests and leaders who serve the Church around the world. Your support helps make these conversations—and that formation—possible: https://puhcf.org/donate/

While in Rome, we sat down with Daniel Arasa, Dean of the School of Church Communications at Santa Croce and a communications advisor to the Vatican, for a fascinating conversation about the future of Catholic media, the challenges facing the Church, and why charity may be the most powerful communication strategy of all. From his journey as a journalist in secular media to becoming one of the Church's leading voices on communications, Daniel shares lessons on polarization, misinformation, digital ministry, crisis communication, and why Catholic communicators must learn to "defend the faith without raising their voice." As storm clouds gathered over Rome during our rooftop interview, Daniel offered a message that feels more relevant than ever: truth must be communicated with professionalism, conviction, and genuine love for others. If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe for more interviews on faith, leadership, and culture. Sign up for our newsletter to receive future episodes, reflections, and stories of impact from Rome and beyond: https://mailchi.mp/puhcf/newsletter-s... The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross forms priests and leaders who serve the Church around the world. Your support helps make these conversations—and that formation—possible: https://puhcf.org/donate/

What would make a young American leave behind a promising career, move to Rome, and dedicate his life to faith, theology, and service?

In this conversation, Patrick Friddle, a numerary with Opus Dei and student at Santa Croce, shares his remarkable journey from growing up near Washington, D.C., to studying in Rome at the heart of the Catholic Church.

We talk about how Patrick discerned his commitment to a life of celibacy, his search for wisdom and truth in theology, and the emotional story of his grandfather’s conversion before death. This is more than a conversation about Rome. It’s about purpose, belonging, and the search for truth in the modern world.

If you’ve ever wondered what could inspire someone to give everything to God, this episode is for you!

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The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross forms priests and leaders who serve the Church around the world. Your support helps make these conversations—and that formation—possible: https://puhcf.org/donate/

Sometimes, the biggest moments in our lives don’t look dramatic at all.

In this conversation, Father Marty Miller shares how an ordinary moment (one that didn’t go as planned) became part of the path that led him to the priesthood.

From his early love of music and life in Illinois, to studying theology in Rome and Spain, to serving today as a priest of Opus Dei, his story is a reminder that God often works in quiet, unexpected ways.

Whether you’re deep in your faith or just beginning to ask questions, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope.

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The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross forms priests and leaders who serve the Church around the world. Your support helps make these conversations—and that formation—possible: https://puhcf.org/donate/

What started as a simple trip to Rome quickly became something much deeper.

In this heartfelt conversation, Ron and Christina Friddle share their experience of joining a pilgrimage to the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and why it turned out to be far more than they expected. From walking the streets of the Eternal City, to learning in the streets instead of the classroom, to being guided through sacred places with new eyes, this journey brought their faith, family, and friendships to life in a powerful way.

They also share what it was like visiting their son studying in Rome, encountering seminarians from around the world, and experiencing the Church in a truly universal way.

If you’ve ever wondered what a pilgrimage is really like (or whether it’s worth it) this conversation might just surprise you.

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Watch the full video here on YouTube.

What if everything you thought about marriage… wasn’t the full story?

Father Jaimes Ponce isn’t just a priest, he’s one of the people the Church turns to when marriages break down. As a canon lawyer and judicial vicar, he helps determine whether a marriage was ever valid in the first place.

Behind the paperwork are real people, real wounds, and stories most never hear.

In this powerful and surprisingly human conversation, Father Jaimes shares his journey from losing his father before birth to helping others find healing, what actually happens in an annulment case (it’s NOT what most people think), and more. Blending psychology, pastoral care, and Church law, his work sits at the intersection of truth and compassion.

This is one of those conversations that might completely change how you see marriage, faith, and the Church.

If you’ve ever wondered how the Church handles divorce (or if you’ve lived it or know someone who had) this is worth your time.

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Come to Rome with us this October: www.puhcf.org/rome

Fr. Chad Ripperger is one of the most well-known priests in the Catholic world, especially for his work in deliverance and exorcism. But in this conversation, we go much deeper than headlines.

We talk about Fr. Chad’s own vocation story, his time as a student at Santa Croce, what Catholic families can do to foster vocations, how to bring loved ones back to the faith, and why so many Catholics still do not fully understand grace.

We also discuss family wounds, spiritual protection in the home, the role of fathers, friendship, Catholic education, and the hidden ways the spiritual life shapes everything. This is a practical and thoughtful conversation for Catholics who want to live their faith more deeply, especially in family life.

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Fr. Chad's book recommendation about grace: If You Knew the Gift of God by Fr. Cliff Ermatinger: http://bit.ly/4crXWMy

AI is transforming the world faster than ever. But what does that mean for our jobs, our ambitions, and even our faith?

In this conversation, David DiNapoli sits down with venture capitalist Nuno Gonçalves Pedro, founder of Chamaeleon and co-host of the Tech Deciphered podcast, to talk about the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and living a life of purpose.

From Silicon Valley startups to daily Mass, Nuno shares how he navigates the worlds of venture capital, AI innovation, and Catholic faith.

Whether you're interested in AI, startups, business, or how it relates to our Catholic faith, this conversation offers practical wisdom for navigating a rapidly changing world.

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Check out Nuno's top 2.5% global podcast, Tech Deciphered: https://decipheredshow.com/

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The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross forms priests and leaders who serve the Church around the world. Your support helps make these conversations—and that formation—possible: https://puhcf.org/donate/

What if one of the most studied objects in Christian history could still surprise you?

In this episode, David DiNapoli sits down with Fr. Andrew Dalton, a priest and professor living and teaching in Rome, whose work has brought him deep into the study of the Shroud of Turin.

Fr. Dalton doesn’t approach the Shroud as a curiosity or a controversy, but as something far more personal: an image that draws us into the heart of the Gospel itself. From Scripture and theology to the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery, he reflects on why the Shroud has been called “the Fifth Gospel”—not as an extra revelation, but as a powerful visual witness to Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.

This conversation isn’t about winning arguments or proving theories. It’s about seeing Christ more clearly, loving Him more deeply, and understanding how faith, reason, and beauty converge in the life of the Church.

Learn more about the Shroud of Turin & Fr. Dalton's work: https://othonia.org/

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From missionary kid to Catholic priest… with a surfboard and a passport full of stamps.

In this episode, David DiNapoli sits down with Fr. Scott Borgman, a priest of the Diocese of Orange whose journey into the Catholic Church is anything but ordinary.

Raised in a Protestant missionary family, Fr. Scott spent his early years in Africa, later lived and studied in Europe, and eventually found himself drawn—unexpectedly—into the Catholic faith. That journey led him to Rome, close to the heart of the Church, where he was formed intellectually, spiritually, and humanly before returning to serve the Church in the U.S.

Along the way, Fr. Scott has:

But beyond the stories, this conversation touches something deeper: why so many people today are searching for meaning—and why the Catholic Church continues to draw converts who discover that Scripture, history, and sacramental life finally come together in one place.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while Rome may feel far away, the formation that happens there has a real, lasting impact on parishes and communities around the world.

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Watch this episode on YouTube