Rephonic
Artwork for White Smoke

White Smoke - Pope Leo’s Cancer Diagnosis

Caloroga Media
Pope Leo XIV
Catholic Church
Vatican
Pope Francis
Conclave
Papal Authority
Chicago White Sox
Vatican City
Christianity
Protestant Reformation
Pope Pius XII
Cold War
Cardinals
Robert Francis Prevost
Pope John Paul I
Roman Catholic Church
Pope Benedict XVI
Papal Election
Knights Templar
Great Western Schism

Pope Leo, the first American pope, is making headlines around the world, and this show breaks down every story in plain, easy terms. From his travels and his biggest moments to his surprise lung cancer diagnosis and recovery, we cover the news, the people around him and what it all means. No theology degree required. New episodes whenever there’s news from the Vatican.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes134Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Entertainment NewsChristianityNewsReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for White Smoke

Latest Episodes

Pope Leo is in hospital, but the work of the Church continues. Who handles Vatican business, which decisions wait and who takes his place at public events? White Smoke goes inside the practical arrangements and follows the prayers for his recovery, f... more

A cancer diagnosis, a successful operation and questions still unanswered. Pope Leo is recovering after surgeons removed a tumor from his lung. In White Smoke, we explore the reasons for cautious optimism, the personal weight of his family’s cancer h... more

For over a thousand years, reformers and revolutionaries have identified papal authority with the biblical Antichrist. From medieval monks to Protestant reformers to modern conspiracy theorists, critics have found in corrupt popes the fulfillment of ... more

Three men simultaneously claim to be pope, tearing European Christianity apart for forty years. The crisis that nearly destroys papal authority forces the church to confront fundamental questions about the nature of religious leadership and instituti... more

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Recent Guests

Madeleine Daly
Interim social media coordinator for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Episode: World's Most Popular Leader, Pope Leo, gets a pizza handed to him
Jaden Ramias
Catholic content creator and organizer of the pizza delivery mission
Episode: World's Most Popular Leader, Pope Leo, gets a pizza handed to him
Joe Aurelio
Owner of Aurelio's Pizza, the restaurant that provided the pizza
Aurelio's Pizza
Episode: World's Most Popular Leader, Pope Leo, gets a pizza handed to him
Dr. Kate Cooper
Professor of Ancient History at the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World
Dr. Thomas Noble
Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World
Dr. Bronwen Neale
Professor of Ancient History at Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World
Dr. Julia Smith
Professor of Medieval History at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World
Dr. George Democopoulos
Professor of Theology at Fordham University
Fordham University
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World
Dr. Carol Straw
Professor Emeritor of History at Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College
Episode: 22. The Barbarian Popes - Leading a Church in the Post-Roman World

Hosts

Mark Francis
Co-host of the series; sometimes serves as producer; affiliated with Caloroga Shark Media.
John McDermott
Co-host of the series; also involved in production; affiliated with Caloroga Shark Media.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Ditch the AI

    Really interesting podcast but the AI narration really kills a podcast. Caloroga hire some narrators, please.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gertruce&Alice
    United Statesa year ago
  • AI Podcast

    In each episode, the introduction is so long that it melds into the short episodes, creating confusion in the content. This is also very expensive to subscribe to, with no human element - pure AI. This is not a good sign for the future of podcasts, nor humanity.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CL_DK
    United Statesa year ago
  • AI?

    I liked the content of the podcast, but the voice reading the script and the background music were hard to listen to. I eventually stopped listening because it was so annoying. I did come back when the daily updates started after Pope Francis’ death. The “reader” had odd pauses and unusual pronunciations, making me wonder if this was AI

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    I can run!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Often inaccurate

    I don’t believe that the hosts nor the editors (maybe they are the same) seem to be Catholic. Much information lacks clarity. Most often quoted priest is Fr James Martin SJ. Certainly not Orthodox which may be what leads to inaccuracy or at the very least too ambiguous for a podcast that ought to be more concerned with Catholic teaching and processes.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    DeacRipps
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show!

    This is really well done. Nice dive into the world of the Vatican . Hope the pope gets better

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hey cheers
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Narrative quality is strong when discussing historical contexts, but some listeners want more human storytelling and less heavy narration.
Several reviews call out AI narration/production elements as a detractor; listeners prefer clear, human-led delivery.
The show seems to attract listeners who value critical, historical analysis of church authority and its role in politics.
Content is engaging for those interested in deep Vatican history and religious politics, though some episode pacing and background music can be distracting.

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Audience Metrics

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Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About White Smoke

What is White Smoke about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history- and current-events focused show that breaks down Vatican and Catholic Church-related stories into plain terms. Episodes cover papal history, power dynamics between church and state, controversial figures, and landmark events across centuries, with attention to how these narratives shape modern perceptions of the Church and its leadership. The format leans into accessible analysis and contemporary relevance, appealing to listeners who want clear explanations of complex religious-political topics without requiring theological training. Notable strengths include a consistent comparative lens on historical episodes and a willingness to tackle thorny topics that spark debate among Catholics and historians alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to White Smoke?

These podcasts share a similar audience with White Smoke:

1. Crown and Controversy
2. Palace Intrigue: Harry, Meghan & the Crown. Royal Family News and Gossip.
3. The Royals
4. Vatican & World News
5. Pod Save The King

How many episodes of White Smoke are there?

White Smoke launched 2 years ago and published 134 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 White Smoke?

Recent guests on White Smoke include:

1. Madeleine Daly
2. Jaden Ramias
3. Joe Aurelio
4. Dr. Kate Cooper
5. Dr. Thomas Noble
6. Dr. Bronwen Neale
7. Dr. Julia Smith
8. Dr. George Democopoulos

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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