May 21, 2025
SIU’s Paul Simon Institute to host virtual discussion on Pope Leo XIV, Catholicism
CARBONDALE, Ill. — 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 the new papacy of Pope Leo XIV.
The event, “Catholicism at the Crossroads: Can Pope Leo Unify a Divided Church?” is at 10 a.m.
Shenon will talk about his February 2025 book, “Jesus Wept: Seven Popes and the Battle for the Catholic Church,” with John Shaw, institute director.
The discussion via Zoom is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The event is part of the institute’s “Understanding Our New World” discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.
Shenon’s book on the recent history of the Catholic Church is “a remarkable achievement,” Shaw said.
“He describes the Catholic Church as ‘easily the most important institution in the history of Western civilization.’ He explains the importance of Vatican II and vividly chronicles the papacies of all popes since Pius XII. His analysis of our modern popes provides crucial context to observe the unfolding papacy of Leo XIV.”
The Catholic Church has approximately 1.4 billion members worldwide, including more than 50 million in the United States.
Shenon spent much of his career as an investigative reporter for The New York Times, covering the Pentagon, Justice Department, FBI and State Department. He is also the author of two previous books: “The Commission: The Uncensored History of the 9/11 Investigation” and “A Cruel and Shocking Act: The Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination.”
Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Shenon on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.
More information, a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.