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Newly-elected Pope Francis bows his head in prayer as he appears on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013, in Vatican City.

The 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ Pontificate (March 18)

Ten years ago on March 13, the 265th Successor of Peter walked out for the first time onto the Balcony of Blessing at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Before he gave his customary first blessing as the new Bishop of Rome, he asked for a “favor” — that is, for us to pray for him. His 10th anniversary reminds us that we should renew our prayers for our Holy Father. On today’s show Register columnist Father Raymond J. De Souza examines the highlights and lowlights of Pope Francis’ pontificate and then, along with Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl, we look at one of Francis’ biggest challenges: the German Synodal Way.

Religious sisters walk into the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Thursday to pray for Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell.

Life of Bishop David O’Connell, and the Ukraine War at One Year

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is mourning the loss of Bishop David O’Connell, who was shot and killed two weeks ago. He has been remembered as a shepherd who ‘knew the smell of his sheep’ and who tirelessly served the community. Senior editor Joan Frawley Desmond, who has covered the story, joins us on Register Radio. Then Matthew Bunson and Jeannette DeMelo have an Editors’ Corner that highlights news of the first anniversary of the Ukraine-Russia war, the Vatican’s latest communication on the Traditional Latin Mass and a feature on six American Black Catholics who are on the road to canonization.

A scene from Scott Hahn’s new Bible study, ‘Holy Is His Name.’

Dr. Scott Hahn and Amy Smith on Lent 2023 (Feb. 25)

Lent is here and Catholics across the globe are turning to prayer, fasting and works of charity in order to more fully unite themselves to Christ. The National Catholic Register provides resources to aid this spiritual journey. Dr. Scott Hahn joins us this week to discuss his new free Bible study, Holy Is His Name. Then the Register’s associate editor Amy Smith gives us highlights of other Lenten materials.

Parishioners attend a Mass offered by Nicaraguan Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes (out of frame) at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, on Feb. 12. Cardinal Brenes asked for prayers for Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison on Feb. 10 after refusing to go to the United States with released opponents who were expelled from the country.

Nicaragua: Faith During Persecution (Feb. 18)

Eight Nicaraguan priests who were expelled from their country by the Ortega regime celebrated Mass for first time in six months last weekend at a small chapel in Washington, DC. The Register’s senior editor, Joan Frawley Desmond, who has covered this story of faith in the face of persecution, joins us on Register Radio along with Register columnist Andrea Picciotti Bayer, who covers religious liberty issue worldwide.

National Catholic Register editor in chief Shannon Mullen

Shannon Mullen and Jonathan Liedl (Feb. 11)

The Register has a new editor in chief. EWTN announced last month that Shannon Mullen will lead the 95-year-old National Catholic Register. Shannon joins us to talk about his dedication to journalism and his mission in Catholic media. Jeanette and Matthew also talk with Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl about the highlights of his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the ongoing strife in the region. And finally, we take another look at conflicting concepts of synod that continue to cause tension in the Church.

The 50th annual March for Life makes it way through Washington, D.C., on Friday.

March for Life 2023 (Jan. 21)

This Friday men and women, young and old from around the country rallied in Washington, D.C., against the tragedy of abortion. Their protest marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade — which was decided 50 years ago on Jan 22, 1973 — despite the fact that Roe has been overturned. Pro-life organizers told the Register’s national reporter Lauretta Brown that the marches are now more important than ever. She joins now to explain why. Then we turn to a different kind of pro-life question: Is human composting a moral option? Register columnist John Grondelski joins us to explain the Church’s teaching on proper Christian burial.

Pope Francis offers Mass at St. Peter's Basilica for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on Jan. 1, 2022.

End Of 2022 Review (Dec. 31)

As we closed out 2022, the Register prepared our Year in Review edition. The Register’s national correspondent Lauretta Brown gives special attention to pro-life heroes this year marking their long hard work to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Then the Register’s Rome correspondent Edward Pentin takes a look back at this year’s happenings involving the Pope and the Vatican.