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James Martin, SJ

@JamesMartinSJ • 287,354 subscribers

Jesuit priest, editor at large at @Americamag, founder of @outrchcatholic, author of 'Work in Progress,' consultor to Dicastery for Communication @VaticanNews

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For me, a small gesture in this brief video shows what kind of person Pope Francis was. Last summer, Pope Francis was reported to have used an Italian-language slur for LGBTQ people and made some negative comments about gay priests. It seemed so out of character with the person I knew, had met and corresponded with, and who had always expressed his desire to care for LGBTQ people pastorally. Not long after these reports, in June, I was at the Vatican, having helped to arrange a papal audience for comedians. A few days before that audience, I met with the Holy Father at the Casa Santa Marta and we talked about his comments. For me, it was hard to bring up the topic, but a cardinal friend of mine encouraged me. But Pope Francis seemed eager to talk about it and told me he knew many holy and faithful gay seminarians and priests, and encouraged me to share his comments publicly, which I did (after asking him a few times exactly how to word it). And it turned out that he didn’t realize how offensive the slur was and said he’d never use it again. After that, the conversation turned to other, more relaxed, matters: the US church, the Synod, and so on. It happened to be the 25th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood and so before leaving Casa Santa Marta, I knelt down and he blessed me. As always, it was a great gift to be with him. A few days later, at the papal audience for comedians, along with the rest of the guests, I was invited up to greet the Holy Father in the Sala Clementina, which was captured in this video. You can see that I thank him for inviting me and my laughing because we joked about my being a "famous American comedian." I start to leave, since I know he’s busy, but then he gently pulls me back and surprised me by thanking me for our conversation a few days earlier. He said that he needed to hear that and was grateful for our conversation and then gave me a thumbs up. Afterwards, I thought: Who does that? What world leader thanks someone for a challenging conversation? For me, that small gesture says a great deal about Pope Francis’s humility, openness and freedom, as well his willingness to listen and learn. Weren’t we blessed to have him in our midst?

For me, a small gesture in this brief video shows what kind of person Pope Francis was. Last summer, Pope Francis was reported to have used an Italian-language slur for LGBTQ people and made some negative comments about gay priests. It seemed so out of character with the person I knew, had met and corresponded with, and who had always expressed his desire to care for LGBTQ people pastorally. Not long after these reports, in June, I was at the Vatican, having helped to arrange a papal audience for comedians. A few days before that audience, I met with the Holy Father at the Casa Santa Marta and we talked about his comments. For me, it was hard to bring up the topic, but a cardinal friend of mine encouraged me. But Pope Francis seemed eager to talk about it and told me he knew many holy and faithful gay seminarians and priests, and encouraged me to share his comments publicly, which I did (after asking him a few times exactly how to word it). And it turned out that he didn’t realize how offensive the slur was and said he’d never use it again. After that, the conversation turned to other, more relaxed, matters: the US church, the Synod, and so on. It happened to be the 25th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood and so before leaving Casa Santa Marta, I knelt down and he blessed me. As always, it was a great gift to be with him. A few days later, at the papal audience for comedians, along with the rest of the guests, I was invited up to greet the Holy Father in the Sala Clementina, which was captured in this video. You can see that I thank him for inviting me and my laughing because we joked about my being a "famous American comedian." I start to leave, since I know he’s busy, but then he gently pulls me back and surprised me by thanking me for our conversation a few days earlier. He said that he needed to hear that and was grateful for our conversation and then gave me a thumbs up. Afterwards, I thought: Who does that? What world leader thanks someone for a challenging conversation? For me, that small gesture says a great deal about Pope Francis’s humility, openness and freedom, as well his willingness to listen and learn. Weren’t we blessed to have him in our midst?

913,134 views

Scene outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in NYC, home of The Late Show. About 100 people shouting "Trump must go. Colbert to stay." While another few hundred wait to enter for tonight's show.

Scene outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in NYC, home of The Late Show. About 100 people shouting "Trump must go. Colbert to stay." While another few hundred wait to enter for tonight's show.

286,045 views

I was so honored to speak this morning in Atlanta, Georgia, at the annual conference of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the umbrella organization for many Congregations of Catholic Sisters in the US. (Yesterday's keynote was Sister Simone Brambilla, the prefect of the Vatican dicastery for religious orders.) We spoke today about what the story of the new life that Jesus gives to Lazarus might say to religious orders today. I was deeply moved to be among over 900 Catholic sisters, and especially moved to have them pray over me before my talk. Sisters are my heroes!

I was so honored to speak this morning in Atlanta, Georgia, at the annual conference of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the umbrella organization for many Congregations of Catholic Sisters in the US. (Yesterday's keynote was Sister Simone Brambilla, the prefect of the Vatican dicastery for religious orders.) We spoke today about what the story of the new life that Jesus gives to Lazarus might say to religious orders today. I was deeply moved to be among over 900 Catholic sisters, and especially moved to have them pray over me before my talk. Sisters are my heroes!

37,475 views

To give you a sense of the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, here is my Jesuit brother and hero Greg Boyle, SJ, who founded Homeboy Industries, which works with former gang members, speaking to 1800 people (80% between 18 and 25). His topic was God's love. #iftj Ignatian Solidarity

To give you a sense of the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, here is my Jesuit brother and hero Greg Boyle, SJ, who founded Homeboy Industries, which works with former gang members, speaking to 1800 people (80% between 18 and 25). His topic was God's love. #iftj Ignatian Solidarity

17,224 views

I’m back in New York City after an historic week in Rome and am filled with gratitude. First, thanks the Outreach team, led by Mike O’Loughlin, and Jack Consolie and Alessandra Rose, for arranging an amazing pilgrimage and the event at the Jesuit Curia on LGBTQ Catholics. Thanks to the Jesuit Curia as well! Thanks to La Tenda di Gionata for organizing the prayer service and the Mass at the Church of the Gesu and the procession to the Holy Door. Finally, thanks to everyone who came up to me to say hi, to share a story or take a selfie. I’m sorry that I couldn’t spend more time with each of you, but I’m grateful for your kind words. Thank you! Sono tornato a New York dopo una settimana storica a Roma e sono pieno di gratitudine. Innanzitutto, grazie al team Outreach, guidato de Mike O'Loughlin, per aver organizzato un pellegrinaggio e l'evento presso la Curia dei Gesuiti sui cattolici LGBTQ. Grazie a La Tenda di Gionata per aver organizzato il servizio di preghiera e la Messa nella Chiesa del Gesù e la processione verso la Porta Santa. Infine, grazie a tutti coloro che sono venuti a salutarmi, a condividere una storia o a scattarsi un selfie. Mi dispiace di non aver potuto trascorrere più tempo con ciascuno di voi, ma vi sono grato per le vostre gentili parole. Grazie! Regreso a Nueva York tras una semana histórica en Roma y estoy agradecido. Gracias al equipo de Outreach, liderado por Mike O'Loughlin, por organizar una peregrinación y el evento en la Curia Jesuita para católicos LGBTQ. Gracias a La Tenda di Gionata por organizar el servicio de oración y la misa en la Iglesia del Gesù, así como la procesión a la Puerta Santa. Finalmente, gracias a todos los que vinieron a saludar, compartir una historia o tomarse una selfie. Lamento no haber podido pasar más tiempo con cada uno de ustedes, pero agradezco sus amables palabras. ¡Gracias! De retour à New York après une semaine historique à Rome, je suis rempli de gratitude. Tout d'abord, merci à l'équipe Outreach, dirigée par Mike O'Loughlin pour l'organisation d'un pèlerinage extraordinaire et de l'événement à la Curie jésuite pour les catholiques LGBTQ. Merci à La Tenda di Gionata pour l'organisation de la prière et de la messe en l'église du Gesù, ainsi que de la procession jusqu'à la Porte Sainte. Enfin, merci à tous ceux qui sont venus me saluer, partager une anecdote ou prendre un selfie. Je suis désolé de ne pas avoir pu passer plus de temps avec chacun d'entre vous, mais je vous suis reconnaissant pour vos aimables paroles. Merci !

I’m back in New York City after an historic week in Rome and am filled with gratitude. First, thanks the Outreach team, led by Mike O’Loughlin, and Jack Consolie and Alessandra Rose, for arranging an amazing pilgrimage and the event at the Jesuit Curia on LGBTQ Catholics. Thanks to the Jesuit Curia as well! Thanks to La Tenda di Gionata for organizing the prayer service and the Mass at the Church of the Gesu and the procession to the Holy Door. Finally, thanks to everyone who came up to me to say hi, to share a story or take a selfie. I’m sorry that I couldn’t spend more time with each of you, but I’m grateful for your kind words. Thank you! Sono tornato a New York dopo una settimana storica a Roma e sono pieno di gratitudine. Innanzitutto, grazie al team Outreach, guidato de Mike O'Loughlin, per aver organizzato un pellegrinaggio e l'evento presso la Curia dei Gesuiti sui cattolici LGBTQ. Grazie a La Tenda di Gionata per aver organizzato il servizio di preghiera e la Messa nella Chiesa del Gesù e la processione verso la Porta Santa. Infine, grazie a tutti coloro che sono venuti a salutarmi, a condividere una storia o a scattarsi un selfie. Mi dispiace di non aver potuto trascorrere più tempo con ciascuno di voi, ma vi sono grato per le vostre gentili parole. Grazie! Regreso a Nueva York tras una semana histórica en Roma y estoy agradecido. Gracias al equipo de Outreach, liderado por Mike O'Loughlin, por organizar una peregrinación y el evento en la Curia Jesuita para católicos LGBTQ. Gracias a La Tenda di Gionata por organizar el servicio de oración y la misa en la Iglesia del Gesù, así como la procesión a la Puerta Santa. Finalmente, gracias a todos los que vinieron a saludar, compartir una historia o tomarse una selfie. Lamento no haber podido pasar más tiempo con cada uno de ustedes, pero agradezco sus amables palabras. ¡Gracias! De retour à New York après une semaine historique à Rome, je suis rempli de gratitude. Tout d'abord, merci à l'équipe Outreach, dirigée par Mike O'Loughlin pour l'organisation d'un pèlerinage extraordinaire et de l'événement à la Curie jésuite pour les catholiques LGBTQ. Merci à La Tenda di Gionata pour l'organisation de la prière et de la messe en l'église du Gesù, ainsi que de la procession jusqu'à la Porte Sainte. Enfin, merci à tous ceux qui sont venus me saluer, partager une anecdote ou prendre un selfie. Je suis désolé de ne pas avoir pu passer plus de temps avec chacun d'entre vous, mais je vous suis reconnaissant pour vos aimables paroles. Merci !

17,719 views

West 60th Street this morning

West 60th Street this morning

11,385 views

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Don't forget that Jesus was once a refugee. So were Mary and Joseph.
1:59
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Don't forget that Jesus was once a refugee. So were Mary and Joseph.

James Martin, SJ

2,811,727 views • 1 year ago

Pope Leo XIV and blessing same-sex couples: Trust the Holy Father's discernment in this, as in all things.
4:25
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Pope Leo XIV and blessing same-sex couples: Trust the Holy Father's discernment in this, as in all things.

James Martin, SJ

325,966 views • 2 months ago

Dear friends: I enjoyed learning about the traditions of Muslim prayer from Hasan Minhaj on the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life." Our first real inter-religious dialogue on our podcast.
1:23
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Dear friends: I enjoyed learning about the traditions of Muslim prayer from Hasan Minhaj on the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life." Our first real inter-religious dialogue on our podcast.

James Martin, SJ

38,134 views • 23 days ago

Dear friends: I try not to ask for donations too often, but today I'm asking for support for Outreach, a ministry that helps LGBTQ Catholics, and their families and friends, feel at home in the church. And this year we have some special prizes!
0:36
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Dear friends: I try not to ask for donations too often, but today I'm asking for support for Outreach, a ministry that helps LGBTQ Catholics, and their families and friends, feel at home in the church. And this year we have some special prizes!

James Martin, SJ

185,907 views • 7 months ago

Six things to know about Pope Leo XIV. And don't forget to pray for him!
1:58
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Six things to know about Pope Leo XIV. And don't forget to pray for him!

James Martin, SJ

289,101 views • 1 year ago

News: Pope Leo XIV's profound new encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," centers human dignity in an era of artificial intelligence, provides a masterclass in Catholic social teaching, and warns against the dangers of not only AI, but economies that are not "inclusive." 5 takeaways.
3:17
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News: Pope Leo XIV's profound new encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," centers human dignity in an era of artificial intelligence, provides a masterclass in Catholic social teaching, and warns against the dangers of not only AI, but economies that are not "inclusive." 5 takeaways.

James Martin, SJ

37,173 views • 1 month ago

Pope Leo XIV, Donald Trump and JD Vance. Fear not!
3:45
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Pope Leo XIV, Donald Trump and JD Vance. Fear not!

James Martin, SJ

54,555 views • 3 months ago

Why listen to Pope Leo on AI? What can the Vatican possibly know about all that? Shouldn't the Pope stay in his lane? Critics immediately raised these questions after "Magnifica Humanitas" was published. Here's why. In short, the Vatican knows a lot more than you might think.
4:09
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Why listen to Pope Leo on AI? What can the Vatican possibly know about all that? Shouldn't the Pope stay in his lane? Critics immediately raised these questions after "Magnifica Humanitas" was published. Here's why. In short, the Vatican knows a lot more than you might think.

James Martin, SJ

29,410 views • 1 month ago

Congratulations to four new Jesuit priests, who were ordained today at Fordham University by Bishop Edmund Whalen, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of NY: Frs. John ("Jake") Braithwaite, SJ; Bryan Galligan, SJ; John Pignone, SJ and Grégoire Kaboré, SJ. AMDG!
0:33
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Congratulations to four new Jesuit priests, who were ordained today at Fordham University by Bishop Edmund Whalen, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of NY: Frs. John ("Jake") Braithwaite, SJ; Bryan Galligan, SJ; John Pignone, SJ and Grégoire Kaboré, SJ. AMDG!

James Martin, SJ

20,165 views • 1 month ago

Today's papal audience for comedians and humorists in the Apostolic Palace was a joyful event, and the Pope's talk on how humor "spreads peace and smiles" was beautiful. Here's the Holy Father greeting some American comedians. It was a joy to meet so many comedians who are also lovely people. Video from Vatican News
1:00
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Today's papal audience for comedians and humorists in the Apostolic Palace was a joyful event, and the Pope's talk on how humor "spreads peace and smiles" was beautiful. Here's the Holy Father greeting some American comedians. It was a joy to meet so many comedians who are also lovely people. Video from Vatican News

James Martin, SJ

260,830 views • 2 years ago

Update from Rome: Qui sibi nomen imposuit. Why the new pope's name is a big deal.
1:29
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Update from Rome: Qui sibi nomen imposuit. Why the new pope's name is a big deal.

James Martin, SJ

122,116 views • 1 year ago

For Jesus, sin is often a failure to bother to love. As I mentioned in the podcast with Hasan Minhaj, this insight is from the moral theologian James Keenan, SJ.
1:10
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For Jesus, sin is often a failure to bother to love. As I mentioned in the podcast with Hasan Minhaj, this insight is from the moral theologian James Keenan, SJ.

James Martin, SJ

14,770 views • 1 month ago

Happy to be on the "Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know" podcast for a lively conversation about Jesus, Christianity, the saints, Islam, my book "Work in Progress" and, along the way, the Beatitudes. More here:
1:33
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Happy to be on the "Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know" podcast for a lively conversation about Jesus, Christianity, the saints, Islam, my book "Work in Progress" and, along the way, the Beatitudes. More here:

James Martin, SJ

13,014 views • 1 month ago

In "Dilexi te," Pope Leo spoke about Jesus's poverty in Nazareth. Scholars sometimes debate how poor. But the important point is this: In his public ministry, Jesus lived a life of poverty and told his followers to care for the poor. It's part of what it means to be Christian.
1:47
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In "Dilexi te," Pope Leo spoke about Jesus's poverty in Nazareth. Scholars sometimes debate how poor. But the important point is this: In his public ministry, Jesus lived a life of poverty and told his followers to care for the poor. It's part of what it means to be Christian.

James Martin, SJ

61,725 views • 9 months ago

Talking with Hasan Minhaj, on his podcast, about the saints.
1:49
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Talking with Hasan Minhaj, on his podcast, about the saints.

James Martin, SJ

11,306 views • 1 month ago

Pope Leo's first, and surprisingly clearly heard, Angelus message in St. Peter's Square this morning. With tens of thousands of the People of God.
0:31
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Pope Leo's first, and surprisingly clearly heard, Angelus message in St. Peter's Square this morning. With tens of thousands of the People of God.

James Martin, SJ

72,880 views • 1 year ago

Let Pope Leo be Pope Leo. And give the Successor of St. Peter the gift of your patience.
2:00
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Let Pope Leo be Pope Leo. And give the Successor of St. Peter the gift of your patience.

James Martin, SJ

63,625 views • 1 year ago

Choir practice before the 11 AM Solemn Mass at the Church of St Ignatius Loyola in New York City. If you're looking for a parish with wonderful liturgical music, look no further.
0:58
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Choir practice before the 11 AM Solemn Mass at the Church of St Ignatius Loyola in New York City. If you're looking for a parish with wonderful liturgical music, look no further.

James Martin, SJ

32,833 views • 6 months ago

Update from Rome: The Vatican as a village, with only one topic on everyone's lips. And please pray for the cardinal electors!
1:30
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Update from Rome: The Vatican as a village, with only one topic on everyone's lips. And please pray for the cardinal electors!

James Martin, SJ

63,140 views • 1 year ago

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that Jesus and Church tradition are clear: Christian are called to care for the poor. Read his beautiful new apostolic exhortation, "Dilexi te: On love for the poor."
1:52
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Pope Leo XIV reminds us that Jesus and Church tradition are clear: Christian are called to care for the poor. Read his beautiful new apostolic exhortation, "Dilexi te: On love for the poor."

James Martin, SJ

43,339 views • 9 months ago