Kresta in the Afternoon

Country star Toby Keith passed away on February 5 at the age of 62 following a battle with stomach cancer. His songs, which largely had a patriotic theme extolling the simple things in life, resonated with millions. He also had a strong personal faith that he leaned on during his darkest times. Al discusses.

When we look at the collapse of the Soviet Union, we can identify seven world leaders whose influence led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Six of them have died in the decades since, but one remains: former Polish President Lech Walesa. We get to know this last hero of the Cold War with Paul Kengor.

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich is best known for her visions, detailed in the Dolorous Passion which would later inspire Mel Gibson’s blockbuster film. We get to know more about her life and spirituality with Scott Smith.

This week, Sage publications announced that it was retracting three studies that found that chemical abortions pose health risks. The announcement of the retraction has received a lot of attention, since the studies were used by a judge in 2023 to suspend FDA approval of mifepristone. Michael New joins us with more.

In this Sunday’s Gospel a leper approaches Jesus, who is moved with pity and heals him. We talk more about the healing power of Jesus with Peggy Stanton.

It’s the feast of Pius IX, the longest-serving pope in Church history. Among his many accomplishments, he helped to formalize the idea of Papal infallibility. We explore this teaching with Dr. Matthew Levering.

Understanding America’s past and the uniqueness of the American Experience in history is crucial to understanding America’s present and future. Unfortunately, most American students lack basic proficiency in understanding their own history. A new report from Arizona State’s Center for American Institutions helps us quantify the problem. Dr. Donald Critchlow joins us.

The Colorado legislature is considering a bill that would allow for people from out-of-state to come to Colorado to receive so-called “Death with Dignity.” Such a law brings with it many dangers, we talk more with Wes Smith.

Every day, the same Mass is celebrated all over the world. As members of the Church universal, we are united in the liturgy by hearing the same readings and reciting the same prayers. Daniel Markham went on a journey across the US to experience the Mass in every state. He shares his experience with us.

Pius IX was the longest-serving pope in church history, and his papacy ended with his death on this day in 1878. Al looks at the impact of his papacy, including the First Vatican Council, the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infallibility.