Kresta in the Afternoon

On Friday, Russian dissident and vocal Putin opponent Alexi Navalny died in prison in western Siberia. Russian authorities claim that he had felt unwell that morning and that paramedics did all they could to save his life, but given Putin’s track record there is much to be suspicious of and much we will likely never know. Peter Conradi joins us with more.

There are two cases before the Texas Supreme Court that demonstrate the need for clarification for abortion bans that have exceptions for fetal abnormalities or risks to the health of the mother. Disabled people are a protected class under United States law, and this protection must extend to people in the womb. Rachel Roth Aldhizer has more.

Everyone knows John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic U.S. president. He overcame a long history of anti-Catholicism in America and won at the polls despite cries of alarm that he would take “orders from the Pope.” Yet Catholics have been connected to the White House throughout U.S. history. Al reviews some of the stories.

Who is to blame for society’s shortcomings? A society can only be as good as the people who comprise it, but individual virtue is not always sufficient to overcome systemic failures. A just society requires a balance of personal virtue with just institutions in order for the individual and collective responsibility to coalesce into the common good. Phil Campbell joins us with more.

On different parts of the political spectrum, marriage is seen as a “trap.” Some leftists claim that marriage and motherhood restricts a woman from reaching her true potential, while some on the right say that men are happier and better off financially if they stay single. The message is clear: leaning into work, rather than family life, is the path to prosperity. But this seductive message in our individualistic age is completely at odds with the facts. Brad Wilcox joins us.

In a recent speech, University of Dallas President Jonathan Sanford observed that “there’s a growing perception that universities aren’t worth it anymore… There seems to be a whole lot of politics going on. Does that mean there’s not much learning going on?” With skyrocketing tuition, many parents and students are asking that same question. How did colleges get here? Auguste Meyrat joins us.

American birth rates are at historic lows, but about five percent of American women have defied this “birth dearth” and bore five or more children. Why? Catherine Pakaluk has traveled the country to hear their stories and she joins us today.

Many of us enjoyed paczki and other treats on Fat Tuesday. Traditionally, this was a way for cooks to use up butter, sugar and other delicacies before the Lenten fast. But there are other foods traditionally enjoyed throughout Lent, and many of them have special symbolism. We talk more with Helen Hoffner.

We’ll soon know if the Vatican’s strategy to contain the German Synodal Way had any effect. The German bishops will meet from February 19 to 22 for their annual Spring Assembly, and the main question on the agenda is whether they will continue the process of establishing a Synodal Council. This has been explicitly forbidden by the Vatican, and would be an act of direct defiance against Pope Francis. Matthew Bunson has the details.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark very briefly recounts Jesus’ temptation in the desert. From there, we hear the famous proclamation of the Gospel – the Kingdom of God is at hand. We unpack the reading with Peggy Stanton.