On the eve of the final session of the Synod on Synodality, a diverse group of women working in ministry at the margins of the church had the opportunity of a lifetime: a private audience with Pope Francis.

While it might not generate as many headlines as women deacons or L.G.B.T. Catholics, the role of the bishops has emerged as one of the most prominent—and controversial—topics of the Synod on Synodality.

On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac share a “conversation in the Spirit” with Linda Staudt, a lay delegate from Canada who was selected to participate in the 2023 and 2024 Synod of Bishops.

This week on a live recording of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Bishop Kevin Sweeney of Paterson, N.J., about his spiritual journey as a young priest on 9/11 and becoming a bishop during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with gold medal-winning Olympic rower Nick Mead, who shares insights about being an Olympic athlete and praying with his team in Paris.

Young priests are often described in the media as more “conservative” and “rigid” than their Boomer counterparts. We spoke with one to see if the stereotype holds up.

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley struggle to resist the temptation to “type” each other as they learn about the Enneagram from Liz Orr, author of “The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion.”

A conversation with Rachel L. Swarns, the author of "The 272: The Families Who were Enslaved and Sold to Build The American Catholic Church"

Basketball fans know Steve Javie as a longtime N.B.A. referee and a frequent commentator on ESPN and ABC. But for the parishioners at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Newtown, Pa., he’s Deacon Steve.

Ethan Hawke on exploring religious questions through art and his new film, “Wildcat,” about the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor.