Kresta in the Afternoon

Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1986 film, flew into theaters this weekend. It was originally scheduled for release in summer 2020, but the film’s producers wanted to wait until crowds could see it in theaters again. It seems like they made the right decision – with global sales over $280 million, it is the biggest opening weekend in Cruise’s four-decade career. Some conservative commentators have attributed its success to its sense of patriotism and American values. Does this make sense? Steven Greydanus joins us.

This weekend Pope Francis announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, including 16 who could be eligible to vote in the next papal conclave. Most relevant to American Catholics was the inclusion of San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy. What can we glean from Pope Francis’ promotions? Matthew Bunson joins us with this and other Church news.

In his Second letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul writes that when we see the Glory of the Lord, we are “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” This study of the supernatural life is formally known as ascetical theology. We dive into this spiritual life with Fr. Jeff Kirby.

Ever since World War II, there have been attempts to label Pope Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope.” Pius is accused of standing by in silence as Hitler massacred Europe’s Jews. The narrative has been brought to the service again with an essay by David Kertzer, who claims to have found few information in never-before-seen articles in the Vatican Archives. Ron Rychlak joins us.

Yesterday was the feast of St Joan of Arc, a saint who has also become a legend in her own regard. Much of what we know about her life comes from her trial. Rachel Fulton Brown joins us with more.

Fr. Gabriel Gionti of the Vatican Observatory, along with his associate Fr. Matteo Galaverni, have discovered a  new mathematical approach that will help astronomers better understand how gravity behaved at the time of the Big Bang when the universe was created — a new finding which, they say, “confirms that our universe appears mathematically ordered and harmonious.” Fr. Gabriel joins us.

On Memorial Day we honor our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. But we can’t overlook the smaller everyday sacrifices made by the wives and families of our soldiers. Donna Marie Coooper OBoyle joins us with stories, prayers and meditations for Catholic military wives.

It’s one of the most iconic images of the Second World War – six US Marines raising the flag on Mt Suribachi during the horrific Battle of Iwo Jima. But did you know a Mass was celebrated under the flag? RJ Matava joins us with the story, 75 years after the battle.

What's it like to be a military chaplain? To travel to all corners of the world, instead of staying in one parish? To witness and serve to people who risk their lives every day? Fr. Daniel Mode is a priest in the Archdiocese of the Military. He joins us to share his experiences. We'll also look at the dramatic story of Fr. Vincent Capodanno, a priest who gave his life on a Vietnam battlefield.

We continue the Conversation on broken homes and fatherlessness. The Washington Examiner published an article yesterday once again evincing that fatherlessness in homes is one of the leading causes of children growing up to commit crimes. The statistics for the likelihood of fatherless children being incarcerated for crimes is alarming. Joining us to talk about the theological reality of fatherhood and the necessity of the role of a father in the life of a family is Matt Swaim, who also discusses his work in Evangelization.