The Chair of St. Peter is empty, the world is watching, and the Church is praying.
In this episode of They That Hope, Father Dave and Deacon Bob reflect on the death of Pope Francis and the moving events surrounding his funeral in Rome. From the emotional procession through the streets—past landmarks like the Colosseum and the TOR friars’ house—to the intimate ceremony at St. Mary Major, they recount moments that highlighted the late Holy Father’s love for the poor and his devotion to simplicity.
With the conclave just days away, the hosts also look ahead to what’s next for the Church. Will we see the first Italian pope in nearly 50 years? What does the increasingly global College of Cardinals mean for the future of the papacy? And what role does the Holy Spirit truly play in the selection of a pope?
Of course, it wouldn’t be They That Hope without a few tangents—this week includes Deacon Bob’s snowy NBA playoff experience in Cleveland (Cavalanche!), draft-day drama from the NFL, and the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith (yes, Bob saw it in theaters—no, he didn’t wear a Jedi robe... but he wanted to).
They also reflect on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and its bold stand against communist ideology, the forgotten value of learning for its own sake, and the cultural obsession with work and identity.
As the Church prays “Come, Holy Spirit” over the conclave, Father Dave and Deacon Bob invite listeners to join in hope—and in prayer for whoever the next successor of Peter will be.
Highlighted sections
(00:00) Cavalanche! NBA Playoffs and Draft Drama Deacon Bob kicks things off with tales from a Cleveland Cavaliers playoff game—complete with fake snow and “Cavalanche” chants. The duo also dives into the NFL Draft: its surprising popularity, emotional player stories, and one disturbing prank call that made national news.
(17:37) Star Wars Nostalgia and the Return of the Sith Deacon Bob celebrates Revenge of the Sith's 20th anniversary with a trip to the theater, reflecting on movie memories, lightsaber-worthy soundtracks, and how the prequels might’ve aged better than expected—at least compared to the sequels.
(22:03) Farewell, Holy Father: Remembering Pope Francis Father Dave shares moving moments from Pope Francis’ funeral and procession through Rome—from the Popemobile carrying the casket past the Colosseum to the tender welcome from the poor outside St. Mary Major. The hosts reflect on the pope’s legacy of humility and love for the marginalized.
(25:32) What Comes Next: The Conclave and the Future of the Papacy As the cardinals prepare to elect the next pope, Father Dave and Deacon Bob discuss possible frontrunners, the global diversity of the College of Cardinals, and how the Holy Spirit works through discernment—not magic. And yes, there are betting odds.
(29:05) The Holiness of Work: St. Joseph and Vocation In honor of the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the hosts explore the Church’s response to communist ideology, the dignity of labor, and the need to recover the joy of learning and working for its own sake.
(34:12) May the Fourth and Prayers for the Church As Star Wars Day approaches, the hosts wrap with light-hearted banter and a heartfelt prayer for the conclave—entrusting the Church once more to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Resources Mentioned
Listen to more They That Hope episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.