Pope, Pope, Pope

There’s a new pope—and he’s an Augustinian!  

In this episode, Father Dave and Deacon Bob discuss the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to lead the Catholic Church. They explore why St. Augustine’s Confessions remains a spiritual masterpiece and how his vision of community, conversion, and interior prayer speaks to the Church’s call for renewal today. 

Naturally, they go off on many tangents, starting with a chilly trip to Cedar Point, detouring through spelling bee glory and NFL drama, and ending in Poland (via pilgrimage, not roller coaster). And yes, they say “Pope” a lot. Allegedly, it boosts downloads. (Spoiler: It works.) 

Highlighted Sections 

(00:00) T-Shirts, Field of Dreams, and the Pope Bump 
The episode opens with an early Father’s Day gift: a nostalgic T-shirt featuring Field of Dreams. This sparks a discussion about podcast stats and the surprisingly real “Pope bump,” where there seems to be an uptick in listeners anytime the pope is mentioned in the title. For science, they test it live. 

(03:45) Teacups, Tournaments, and the Cold Ride of Aging 
Deacon Bob recounts a brisk grandkid-filled day at Cedar Point, while Father Dave recaps the equally chilly Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Along the way, they correct a Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicholson mix-up and debate whether roller coasters or golf better reveal our age. 

(10:28) Spelling Bees, Stage Fright, and Childhood Wins 
The Scripps National Spelling Bee champ nails “éclaircissement,” then collapses with joy. That memory sparks their own stories: Father Dave’s catechism bee victory and Deacon Bob’s state theater auditions. They reflect on the pressure of performing, the resilience it builds, and how these moments shape us. 

(16:11) Pope Leo XIV, St. Augustine, and Why Confessions Still Matters 
The first Augustinian pope opens the door to rich reflections on St. Augustine’s enduring legacy. Father Dave and Deacon Bob spotlight Return to the Heart by Dr. Shane Owens, which unpacks the biblical themes in Confessions for today’s reader. Owens also recently joined Father Dave for an episode of Franciscan University Presents to discuss how Augustine’s life and writings continue to guide hearts back to Christ. 

(21:05) Pentecost, Pilgrimages, and the Road Ahead 
Pentecost kicks off a summer of spiritual encounters: Heather Khym leads the first Glory: A Women’s Gathering, Deacon Bob heads to the LifeTeen Catholic Youth Ministry Convention, and Father Dave departs for a pilgrimage to Poland to visit sites connected to St. John Paul II, St. Faustina, and St. Maximilian Kolbe. They share the joys of ministry on the move and the fresh hope the Holy Spirit always brings. 

Resources Mentioned 

• Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine’s Confessions by Dr. Shane Owens 
• St. Augustine’s Confessions and Us with guest Dr. Shane Owens – Franciscan University Presents 
• Glory: Women’s Gathering Steubenville Conference with Heather Khym 
• LifeTeen Catholic Youth Ministry Convention 
• Confessions by St. Augustine  
• Poland Pilgrimage: In the Footsteps of St. John Paul II & St. Faustina with Father Dave Pivonka, TOR