When Pope Francis passed away, many listeners—like John from Illinois—began wondering: Who's in charge now? On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick answered that very question with clarity, history, and a touch of humor. When the pope dies, the Vatican doesn’t shut down completely—but it does hit “pause mode.” Most major functions of the Apostolic See …
The Industrial Revolution changed more than just how goods were made. It changed how people worked, how they lived, and even how they saw themselves. Although it may seem like a distant chapter in a history textbook, the questions raised during the Industrial Revolution are similar to the questions we wrestle with today: What is …
For people across Eastern Europe, the Cold War was a time of disconnection, anxious whispers, and uncertainty. Countries within the Eastern Bloc, behind the ‘iron curtain,’ had no guarantee of sovereignty. This was highlighted by the Prague Spring uprising in 1968, which was ruthlessly put down by the Red Army. Soviet hegemony was clear. These …
In 2013, the first member of the Society of Jesus, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, was elected to ascend to the Chair of Peter and took the name Francis. A member of an order once doubted and subject to suspicion by the Vatican became the Pope. This event is significant in a broad view of Church history, …
The most recent conclave comes on the heels of a very rare event in the history of the Papacy: two popes living at the same time. As the papacy is a sacred office typically carried out until death, it is rare that two legitimate popes’ lifetimes overlap. Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign is one …
On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick offered a thorough and insightful explanation of what happens in the Church following the death of a pope, including the origins of the conclave, the ceremonial traditions that accompany the pope’s passing, and why upcoming events like canonizations are postponed. In the early Church, the Bishop of Rome was …
As the world begins to look ahead to the upcoming conclave following the death of Pope Francis, Patrick Madrid took a moment on The Patrick Madrid Show to demystify one of the most iconic traditions in the papal election: the white and black smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel. Madrid explained that the smoke—white for …
Fr. Rocky joined NewsNation to reflect on the passing of Pope Francis, offering heartfelt insight into the Holy Father’s final days. He noted that the Church had been praying for Pope Francis over the past two months as his health declined, and yet, in true Franciscan spirit, the Pope gave of himself to the very …
As the Church mourns the passing of Pope Francis, attention will soon begin to turn toward what comes next: the conclave, where the 267th successor of St. Peter will be elected. On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick walked listeners through an important question: Who is eligible to be elected Pope? According to Canon Law (Canon …
