The Weekly Francis – 13 February 2025

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 26 December 2024 to 12 February 2025.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Letters

Messages

Speeches

Papal Twitter/X

Papal Instagram

The Celestial Toymaker (First Doctor) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Doctor faces a sinister game master in The Celestial Toymaker! Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin break down this classic First Doctor story, its lost episodes, stunning animation, and the Toymaker’s return in modern Doctor Who. Don’t miss this fascinating discussion!

https://youtu.be/dbtT8a0bPCQ

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The Devil In The Dark (TOS) – The Secrets of Star Trek

The Enterprise crew faces a deadly subterranean menace—but is it truly a monster? Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler unpack The Devil in the Dark, revealing its surprising themes, Kirk’s transformation, and Spock’s emotional depth.

https://youtu.be/4Xq2SDt3Q5E

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Mysterious Experiences 3 – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

To celebrate their 350th regular episode, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli look at more of listener’s mysterious experiences. What have listeners reported, what could explain them, and what does Jimmy make of them?

https://youtu.be/r0BA1–o-yQ

Help us continue to offer Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?

Links for this episode:

This Episode is Brought to You By:
Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World is brought to you in part through the generous support of Deliver Contacts, offering honest pricing and reliable service for all your contact lens needs. See the difference at delivercontacts.com.

Rosary Army. Featuring award-winning Catholic podcasts, Rosary resources, videos, and the School of Mary online community, prayer, and learning platform. Learn how to make them, pray them, and give them away while growing in your faith at RosaryArmy.com and SchoolOfMary.com

The Grady Group, a Catholic company bringing financial clarity to their clients across the United States. Using safe money options to produce reasonable rates of return for their clients. Learn more by visiting GradyGroupInc.com.

Exodus 90 and the Exodus 90 challenge, which begins this year on January 20th. This isn’t just a 90-day program: Exodus 90 is a spirituality for men in modern times built on three ancient pillars: prayer, self-sacrifice, and fraternity. We all long for something more. And that something is to be found in becoming the men that God created us to be: sons of a loving Father. It’s time to turn away from our Idols. It’s time to break free from the Pharaohs that hold us in bondage. If you’re ready to make a fresh start, to break free, refocus, and rediscover who God is calling you to be in the new year and embark on a journey to Uncommon Freedom in Jesus Christ, then download the Exodus 90 app today. Go to Exodus90.com/sqpn to learn more.

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

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The Weekly Francis – 5 February 2025

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 2 January 2025 to 5 February 2025.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Twitter/X

Papal Instagram

Shockwave (ENT) – The Secrets of Star Trek

A colony destroyed, Enterprise blamed, and Archer trapped in a ruined future! Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli break down Shockwave, the explosive Enterprise first season finale, unpacking its gripping twists, time travel intrigue, and eerie real-world parallels.

https://youtu.be/0_RO159MbhY

Direct Link to the Episode.

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Is AI A Demonic Illusion? (and More Weird Questions) – Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World

It’s a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like whether AI is a demonic illusion; Jewish Nazarene Christians; Alfred E. Newman; time travel and the natural law; and more.

https://youtu.be/h6pPdxIO22w

Help us continue to offer Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?

Questions Covered:

  • 3:20 – Is A.I. a demonic illusion?
  • 10:41 – What do we know about Jewish Nazarene Christians?
  • 16:44 – What kind of angel was the devil?
  • 23:21 – Who was Alfred E. Newman?
  • 29:26 – What does “begotten not made” mean?
  • 35:05 – Would time travel violate natural law?
  • 43:46 – Can God change his mind?

This Episode is Brought to You By:
Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World is brought to you in part through the generous support of Deliver Contacts, offering honest pricing and reliable service for all your contact lens needs. See the difference at delivercontacts.com.

Rosary Army. Featuring award-winning Catholic podcasts, Rosary resources, videos, and the School of Mary online community, prayer, and learning platform. Learn how to make them, pray them, and give them away while growing in your faith at RosaryArmy.com and SchoolOfMary.com

The Grady Group, a Catholic company bringing financial clarity to their clients across the United States. Using safe money options to produce reasonable rates of return for their clients. Learn more by visiting GradyGroupInc.com.

Exodus 90 and the Exodus 90 challenge, which begins this year on January 20th. This isn’t just a 90-day program: Exodus 90 is a spirituality for men in modern times built on three ancient pillars: prayer, self-sacrifice, and fraternity. We all long for something more. And that something is to be found in becoming the men that God created us to be: sons of a loving Father. It’s time to turn away from our Idols. It’s time to break free from the Pharaohs that hold us in bondage. If you’re ready to make a fresh start, to break free, refocus, and rediscover who God is calling you to be in the new year and embark on a journey to Uncommon Freedom in Jesus Christ, then download the Exodus 90 app today. Go to Exodus90.com/sqpn to learn more.

Want to Sponsor A Show?
Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

Direct Link to the Episode.

Subscribe on iTunes. | Other Ways to Subscribe.

The Weekly Francis – 30 January 2025

This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week, from 14 January 2025 to 29 January 2025.

Angelus

General Audiences

Homilies

Messages

Speeches

Papal Twitter/X

Papal Instagram

The Horns of Nimon (4th Doctor) – The Secrets of Doctor Who

The Fourth Doctor faces a labyrinth of shifting walls and parasitic alien minotaurs in The Horns of Nimon! Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin unravel this myth-inspired tale, critiquing over-the-top villains, budget effects, and the Doctor-Romana dynamic.

https://youtu.be/zECICnz3-io

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Section 31 – The Secrets of Star Trek

A spy thriller in Star Trek? Michelle Yeoh shines in Section 31, exposing the seamy world underneath the Federation’s ideals. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Jason Tyler, and Jimmy Akin dissect the action, drama, and lore while weighing its merits as a movie versus a full series.

https://youtu.be/9pRnaCWAF8I

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