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The Popecast: A History of the Papacy

The Popecast
Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV
Normans
Catholic Church
Holy Roman Empire
Crusades
The Scriptorium Project
Byzantine Empire
First Crusade
Civitate
Papal Conclave
Vatican
Papal Veto
Conclave Of 1903
Pope St. Leo the Great
Christian Antiquity
Pope St. Leo III
Charlemagne
Sicily
Pope St. Leo IX

The unvarnished, non-boring history of the popes of the Roman Catholic Church – told in a way to remind us that the world and the Church’s problems today have happened plenty of times before. Become a Paid Subscriber: anchor.fm/thepopecast/subscribe

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes116Founded8 years ago
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History

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Artwork for The Popecast: A History of the Papacy

Latest Episodes

Dr. Matt Ponesse – or @medievalistmatt as he's known by so many – is a medieval history professor by day and a world-class memelord over on Instagram by…earlier in the day, as you'll learn in this episode. His calling card is using the marginalia fro... more

A very special guest indeed on this week’s show. I’m joined by Elise Ann Allen, Senior Correspondent for Crux in Rome, who recently conducted the first exclusive, extensive papal interviews of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. Those conversations have been... more

Our favorite fellow papal history buff is back with us this week, Fr. Richard Kunst from the Diocese of Duluth Minnesota, here to talk about meeting Pope Leo XIV, his huge upcoming exhibit at the Mall of America, and some other little tidbits you won... more

Imagine: A corpse that’s nine months dead is propped on a throne in full papal vestments, and placed on trial for various alleged offenses. A teenage deacon is assigned to answer questions on its behalf. And the present pope is screaming at the body.... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Matt Ponesse
Medieval history professor at Ohio Dominican University and meme creator.
Ohio Dominican University
Episode: History Lessons with a Medievalist Memelord | Dr. Matt Ponesse
Elise Ann Allen
Senior correspondent for Crux in Rome
Crux
Episode: Interviewing the Pope | Elise Ann Allen
Robert Prevost
Prior to his election, he was little known which adds a mystique to his role as Pope.
Episode: Interviewing the Pope | Elise Ann Allen
Michael Lentz
Expert on the Normans and creator of Memory Medieval
Memory Medieval
Episode: When the Normans Defeated the Pope at Civitate | w/ Memory Medieval
Anthony Johnson
Senior Video Producer for EWTN's Vatican Bureau
EWTN
Episode: A Front Row Seat to the Papal Funeral and Conclave (feat. Anthony Johnson of EWTN)
Dr. D.P. Curtin
Founder and editor of The Scriptorium Project, focusing on preserving and translating ancient Christian texts.
The Scriptorium Project
Episode: Bringing Ancient Texts Back to Life (w/ Dr. D.P. Curtin, Founder of the Scriptorium Project)
Donald Paul Maddox
The writer of In Defense of Theology
In Defense of Theology
Episode: How the Conclave REALLY Works (w/ Donald Paul Maddox)
Father Richard Kunst
Avid collector of papal artifacts and expert in papal history.
Diocese of Duluth
Episode: When Kings Could Overrule Cardinals: The Papal Veto (w/ Fr. Richard Kunst)
Marilis Pineiro
Former sister who worked directly with Pope Francis in the Vatican
Episode: Memories of Pope Francis with @Exnunontherun (Marilis Pineiro)

Host

Matthew Sewell
Host of The Popecast, providing detailed and engaging narratives on the history of the papacy in a way that connects past events with contemporary issues.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 223 ratings
  • Meh

    I know lots of my fellow Catholics need education, but this is like listening to someone describe a waiting room, or the hum of a refrigerator.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ICUStat
    United States4 months ago
  • Out of touch

    Not sure how I ended up here and just listed to one episode but was quite taken back when the host argues moral standards have slipped since HV in the 60s. This shows he is only focused on sex and not general living conditions for populations as a whole. A very, very narrow view of morality indeed. Since the 60s, countless people have been lifted out of poverty, we have expanded human rights for women and children, we have changed voting laws etc. civil rights for minority populations have also ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MMK805
    United States8 months ago
  • Great show

    Popecast is such a great show that has taught me so much about the history of our Popes. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LuLu2336
    United States8 months ago
  • Love this new find

    This is so informative and enjoyable to listen to. Two of my great loves- my faith and history- included in one podcast. Great listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Runner82781
    United States8 months ago
  • So so good!

    This is such a great podcast! Informative, fun and perfect length! As a life long Catholic, great way to get a tidbit of our history! Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Butterly76
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the informative and engaging approach to papal history, finding the blend of storytelling and factual accuracy appealing.
Overall, the podcast resonates well with those interested in both faith and history, drawing in listeners who appreciate a thoughtful discussion on the subject.
Some listeners feel that the content may lack depth in specific episodes or could benefit from more thorough exploration of certain historical figures.
The podcast is praised for its ability to make church history accessible and relevant, often mentioning the host's effective presentation style.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#188
Sweden/History
Apple Podcasts
#211
Poland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Interviewing the Pope | Elise Ann Allen
Q: What are some that have still stuck out with you or stuck with you based on how he answered?
Pope Leo XIV's understanding of his role and his job is not about solving world issues but encouraging faith and human dignity.
Interviewing the Pope | Elise Ann Allen
Q: What was it like just, again, on a human level, interviewing the pope?
The conversation was very natural and comfortable, evolving from an interview into a genuine discussion.
When the Normans Defeated the Pope at Civitate | w/ Memory Medieval
Q: What are some implications of the Battle of Civitate?
The victory broke papal reliance on the Holy Roman Empire and influenced future papal elections and the crusading movement.
When the Normans Defeated the Pope at Civitate | w/ Memory Medieval
Q: How did you get into medieval history?
I've always been into medieval history since I was young, resonating with knights and stories of chivalry.
Charlemagne's Pope (St. Leo III)
Q: What are the lessons we can learn from Lacrimobili Statu, a document written by Pope St. Pius X?
The document reflects on how human nature has constant struggles with money, pleasure, and power, which are similar across all ages.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Popecast: A History of the Papacy

What is The Popecast: A History of the Papacy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content revolves around the intricate history of the Roman Catholic Church, focusing specifically on the lives and legacies of its popes. The discussions often highlight the challenges faced by the papacy across different eras, drawing parallels between historical events and contemporary issues within the Church and the wider world. Episodes might cover pivotal moments such as the coronation of Charlemagne, notable conclaves, and the nuances of papal politics and influence, enriched by insights from historians and media professionals. This podcast stands out for its engaging storytelling and expert guests, making historical narratives accessible and relevant to current listeners who are interested in faith, history, or cultural heritage... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Popecast: A History of the Papacy:

1. Inside The Vatican
2. Jesuitical
3. Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
4. The Thomistic Institute
5. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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The Popecast: A History of the Papacy launched 8 years ago and published 116 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Popecast: A History of the Papacy?

Recent guests on The Popecast: A History of the Papacy include:

1. Dr. Matt Ponesse
2. Elise Ann Allen
3. Robert Prevost
4. Michael Lentz
5. Anthony Johnson
6. Dr. D.P. Curtin
7. Donald Paul Maddox
8. Father Richard Kunst

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