Philip Shenon
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Philip Shenon
@philipshenon.bsky.social
110 followers 210 following 51 posts
Author, Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church (2025), www.philipshenon.com
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Philip Shenon @philipshenon.bsky.social · Jan 13
Kirkus Reviews: “Jesus Wept: An extraordinary accomplishment: controversial, but crucial for discussions in today’s Catholic Church.” (starred review)

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
JESUS WEPT | Kirkus Reviews
Highly critical assessment of the modern papacy.
www.kirkusreviews.com
philipshenon.bsky.social
x.com/catholicsat/...
Catholic Sat on X: "On this day in 1962, Pope John XXIII solemnly opened the Second Vatican Council, the 21st and most recent ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. https://t.co/8IlECgpsil" / X
On this day in 1962, Pope John XXIII solemnly opened the Second Vatican Council, the 21st and most recent ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. https://t.co/8IlECgpsil
x.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Reposted by Philip Shenon
commonweal.bsky.social
"It is not hard to make the case that younger popes, provided they are only pope for five years, cannot hurt—and could easily help—the fortunes of the Catholic Church."

Paul Lakeland raises the possibility of papal term limits:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/lakeland-pop...
Why Should Jesus Weep?
The recent history of papal corruption and controversy raises the question: should popes be limited to five-year terms?
www.commonwealmagazine.org
September 23, 2025 at 12:02 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.commonwealmagazine.org/lakeland-pop...
Why Should Jesus Weep?
The recent history of papal corruption and controversy raises the question: should popes be limited to five-year terms?
www.commonwealmagazine.org
September 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
What were the secret meetings about in the Vatican 25 years ago? - ABC listen
In 2000, at a secret meeting in the Vatican, an Australian bishop warned a deluge would soon overwhelm the Catholic Church.  The sex abuse crisis would become the greatest challenge to the authority ...
www.abc.net.au
August 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
The papacy and the battle for the soul of the Catholic Church: Parts 1 and Part 2 - ABC listen
If the first hundred days of a papacy can shake up the Catholic church, how much drama occurs over 80 years?  History rolls on, one war ends, another begins, scandals aplenty unfold.  But for author...
www.abc.net.au
August 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
The New Yorker: “Best Books of the Year So Far”
August 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
youtu.be/MMwOoENdy4s
The Vatican’s HIDDEN History: Hitler, the CIA, & Protecting Predators
YouTube video by The Zach Show
youtu.be
August 14, 2025 at 1:52 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.afr.com/life-and-lux...
The 40 best books published so far this year
Curl up this winter with a gripping account of tech geniuses, tales of Russian arms deals or Xi Jinping’s father. There’s even a tome on our first and last words.
www.afr.com
June 15, 2025 at 10:53 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.ncronline.org/culture/seve...
7 decades of papacy illuminated in new book, 'Jesus Wept'
Tragedy and hope vie for thematic supremacy in Philip Shenon's newest book, Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church, a highly readable, character-driven narrative fo...
www.ncronline.org
June 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
The Economist: Best Books (“This book is gripping and damning in equal measure”)
June 6, 2025 at 11:50 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
The 40 best books published so far this year
When you lie down by the pool this summer, pick up one of these titles
www.economist.com
June 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=cFjb...
Understanding Our New World | Philip Shenon
YouTube video by SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute
youtube.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/0...
Pope Leo, synodality and the role of lay Catholics
If we truly believe that the church includes all the baptized, we need better systems of transparency and accountability so that the laity might truly participate co-responsibly in our church.
www.americamagazine.org
June 2, 2025 at 10:18 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=cFaG...
Personally Speaking ep. 259 (Philip Shenon)
YouTube video by Personally Speaking with Msgr. Jim Lisante
youtube.com
May 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
news.siu.edu/2025/05/0521...
SIU’s Paul Simon Institute to host virtual discussion on Pope Leo XIV, Catholicism
Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will host a virtual discussion on Wednesday, May 28, with author Philip Shenon on challenges facing the Catholic Church and...
news.siu.edu
May 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=ML2M...
‘My Brother The Pope Is NOT Woke!’ Louis Prevost + Pope vs President Debate
YouTube video by Piers Morgan Uncensored
youtube.com
May 12, 2025 at 10:41 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
Discussing the Conclave and “Jesus Wept” on PBS News Hour
May 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
What ‘Conclave’ gets right — and wrong — about papal politics
The movie “Conclave” delves into the intricacies of papal politics and the election of a new pope, but how accurate is it in portraying the Vatican's inner workings?
www.washingtonpost.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
May 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
Pius XII. The first of my seven popes. Fascinating….
x.com/praytherosar...
Pray The Rosary on X: "Pope Pius XII speaks in English to Allied soldiers in 1944 https://t.co/g8lswDayVG" / X
Pope Pius XII speaks in English to Allied soldiers in 1944 https://t.co/g8lswDayVG
x.com
April 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
Jesus Wept: “Detailed, engaging, often amusing and always accessible.” www.australianbookreview.com.au/abr-online/c...
Barney Zwartz reviews ‘Jesus Wept: Seven popes and the battle for the soul of the Catholic Church’ by Philip Shenon
For centuries, popes have been remote figures, information about their private lives carefully controlled to safeguard their image and promote the mystique of the office. Jesus Wept, describing the pa...
www.australianbookreview.com.au
April 30, 2025 at 9:47 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 11:38 AM
philipshenon.bsky.social
April 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
www.repubblica.it/politica/202...
Kasper: “Il popolo di Dio ha già votato ai funerali e ha invocato continuità con Francesco”
Intervista al cardinale e teologo tedesco
www.repubblica.it
April 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
philipshenon.bsky.social
How will Pope Francis' legacy shape the conclave?

www.npr.org/2025/04/27/n...
How will Pope Francis' legacy shape the conclave?
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Philip Shenon, author of "Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Soul of the Catholic Church," about how Pope Francis' legacy will shape the upcoming conclave.
www.npr.org
April 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM