Should we worry about Pope Leo?
Pope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, with doctors removing the lower lobe of his right lung. The...
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Religion & Spirituality
Holy Smoke
The most important and controversial topics in world religion, thoroughly dissected by a range of high profile guests. Presented by Damian Thompson and Cristina Odone.
Episodes
20 of 244 episodes
Charles Owen: can you hear God in Franz Liszt’s music?
Franz Liszt is remembered as one of the great showmen of the 19th century: a dazzling virtuoso, breaker of pianos and notorious womaniser wh...
Michael Nazir-Ali: Pakistani Christians fear backlash over Lambeth Palace award
Pakistani Christians could face renewed persecution following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to withdraw an honour to a leading Mus...
Catholic Burnham barred: should the law change?
Andy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The...
Are you having a 'nun girl summer'?
Why are young women suddenly fascinated by nuns? From ‘nun girl summer’ on TikTok to a wider ‘quiet revival’ of Christianity among Generatio...
Plastic Parsons: why Quentin Letts fears for the parish church
Is the Church of England slowly abolishing the parish priest? A new model of ‘oversight ministry’ promises team-based leadership and a great...
Wandering bishops, rival popes & schismatic churches
What happens when a bishop breaks with Rome but still claims apostolic succession? Damian Thompson is joined by historian Magnus Lundberg, P...
How Project Spire will hurt England's parishes
In this week’s episode of Holy Smoke , Damian Thompson is joined by Madeline Grant to dive into the contentious topic of Project Spire, the...
Coffee House Shots: Britain's first Catholic PM
Is Andy Burnham the country's first catholic Prime Minister, and how might it influence his leadership? Despite his faith drawing him to Lab...
When Mary Calls: why Protestants are praying to the Mother of God
For many Christians, devotion to the Virgin Mary is deeply moving. For others, it raises uncomfortable theological questions. Is the venerat...
How religion shapes football
From idolising players to faithfully following a club, football is often described as the world’s secular religion. But religion has long be...
Was America meant to be a Christian nation?
It might be 250 years since the Declaration of Independence but the document continues to prove controversial, with political groups arguing...
The Pope & the SSPX: is this a permanent schism?
On Wednesday morning the ultra-traditionalist Society of St Pius X (SSPX) consecrated four bishops in defiance of Pope Leo XIV. Those bishop...
Pope Leo, Max Weber & the dark side of charisma
Is Pope Leo XIV quietly reversing the mistakes of his predecessor – or is he a Francis II, a ‘Bergoglio in nicer vestments’? Damian Thompson...
Are Mormons Christian?
For Christians and non-Christians alike, Mormons remain a bit of an enigma – especially in the UK. In the US however there are almost 7 mill...
Mexico, the Catholic Church & the rise of the cartel cults
Friend of Holy Smoke Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith joins Damian Thompson to talk about the complicated relationship between the drug cartels in...
Michael Gove on why the Pope's AI intervention shames our politicians
The Spectator 's editor Michael Gove ‘was born into a sternly Presbyterian culture’, but – in this week's magazine – is ‘giving thanks to th...
One year of Pope Leo – a promising start?
One year on from when Pope Leo became head of the Catholic church and he remains a bit of an enigma. Is he a Conservative or Liberal? What d...
Is Pope Benedict’s Ordinariate for ex-Anglicans finally going to realise its potential?
In 2009 Pope Benedict XVI upset liberals by creating the Ordinariates, new self-governing structures for ex-Anglicans who wanted to preserve...
Why has Trump picked a fight with the Pope?
Donald Trump’s latest clash with the Pope has stunned even the more hardened of America-watchers. According to the President of the United S...