The challenges facing the first-ever American pope

The challenges facing the first-ever American pope

Author: WBUR May 14, 2025 Duration: 44:05
The world's 1.4 billion Catholics have a new pope, Leo XIV. But the church he now leads is far from unified. What does the global Catholic Church want from a new pope -- and can he deliver it? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here: wbur.org/giveonpoint

Each weekday, On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to bring clarity and depth to the stories that matter. Produced by WBUR, this daily news podcast is built on the conviction that understanding requires more than headlines. Meghna Chakrabarti guides conversations that dig into the roots of current events, connecting today’s debates to historical context and the broader human experience. You’ll hear thoughtful interviews with experts, journalists, and people directly affected by the issues, all aimed at answering the pressing questions that often go unasked. The approach is rigorous but accessible, tackling complex subjects-from politics and science to culture and ethics-without shying away from nuance. It’s a space where multiple perspectives are examined, not just presented, fostering a more complete picture of our world. Tuning in feels less like being talked at and more like being part of a necessary, informed discussion. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by fragmented news sources, this podcast offers a reliable, substantive hour of analysis that respects the listener’s intelligence and curiosity. The result is a consistently engaging program that doesn’t just report what’s happening, but explains why it matters.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
Podcast Episodes
The Jackpod: The basic disturbance of the 21st century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:19
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on how the impact of AI in the 21st century could be more disruptive to the workforce than mass production was in the 20th century. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by ma…
The Israeli government’s true goal in Gaza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:03
Israel's government recently voted to ramp up the war in Gaza. A food blockade starved Gazans for months. And critical voices internationally, and within Israel itself, are rising. What do Israel’s government and its peo…
Is animal testing even needed anymore? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:13
Running tests on lab rats, mice and other species is an integral part of biomedical research. Now, some say artificial intelligence and other technologies could soon make the practice obsolete. *** Thank you for listenin…
The federal takeover of Rikers Island [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:05
New York City has lost control of its jails. In May, a federal judge ruled that the city’s jails, including Rikers Island, will now be run by a manager who will report directly to the court. What’s next for one of the co…
The long-term effects of nuclear waste in St. Louis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:54
For decades, kids in St. Louis County caught crawdads in Coldwater Creek, made mudpies, went swimming -- and were exposed to nuclear waste. Hear the story of how St. Louis became a dumping ground for radioactive waste ge…
How YouTube transformed our world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
YouTube turns 20 this year. The platform now hosts 20 billion videos, and lets basically anyone, anywhere on Earth, create, share and watch. How has YouTube changed us? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by…
The Jackpod: Making America safe for cancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:15
On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the Environmental Protection Agency’s new mission under the leadership of its new administrator, Lee Zeldin. *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a donation here…
Steph Curry, 'Moreyball' and the NBA's 3-point revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:13
NBA teams have nearly tripled the number of 3-point attempts since the turn of the century. Fans now say it's hurting the game. Is the NBA taking too many 3s? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point by making a…
The push to eliminate honors programs in schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
In an effort to reduce inequality in education outcomes, some school districts are removing honors classes or other programs for high achievers. Some students, parents and teachers say the push to "de-track" or "de-level…
The struggle to update America's aging air traffic control system [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:32
The Trump administration says it's going to modernize air traffic control equipment. Many administrations before have promised the same thing. So why hasn't it happened? *** Thank you for listening. Help power On Point b…