John Morales chats with the brilliant Theresa Civantos Barber (Assistant Editor at Aleteia) about something we never thought we’d say: the Pope is a math whiz! 🧮

 

 

📐 From Chalkboards to the Chair of Peter

 

Yep, it’s official: For the first time in 2,000 years of Church history, the Holy Father knows his cosines from his catechism.

 

🗣️ “He’s the only cardinal in the conclave with a math degree!” Theresa exclaimed... and that’s a big deal. It’s not just a fun fact for your next Catholic trivia night. It points to something much deeper and meaningful: a vibrant harmony between faith and reason.

 

 

🧬 The Church Has Always Loved Science (Despite the Memes)

 

While Christianity often gets a bad rap as being “anti-science,” Theresa reminded us that this isn't the Catholic way.

 

Faith + Reason = 🔥: St. John Paul II famously said they’re “like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.”

 

The Catechism backs it up, too: There can never be a real discrepancy between faith and reason.

 

And history proves it:

 

Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics and a Catholic monk

 

Fr. Georges Lemaître, who came up with the Big Bang Theory

 

 

🧠 Why This Pope’s Brain Might Be the Blessing We Need

 

Pope Leo’s love for logic and order is a huge gift for the Church.

 

Theresa shared a sweet anecdote: her middle school teacher taught both math and theology because “they’re both about discovering the order in the universe.” That’s totally Catholic. We believe God made a world where everything fits together, like a really intense jigsaw puzzle with eternal consequences.

 

And let’s be real: having a Pope who thinks like a mathematician means:

 

-Precise teaching 📝

 

-Logical approaches to complex topics 🧩

 

-A calm, rational voice in chaotic cultural times 

 

 

A Message to the World: Come Home, Thinkers!

 

Theresa thinks Pope Leo is a living sign that Catholics don’t need to choose between brains and belief. He's the Pope for:

 

-Scientists

 

-Engineers

 

-Students who love equations and the Eucharist

 

-People on Instagram who are “Catholic-curious”

 

💬 “May his papacy inspire a new generation of faithful who are unafraid to seek God through both the soul and the mind.” 💬


(A quote from one of the mathematicians Theresa interviewed that basically sums it all up)

 

 

So, What’s Next?

 

Theresa hopes Pope Leo’s papacy inspires:

 

-A new reverence for both theology and science in Catholic education

 

-Curiosity about creation

 

-Most importantly, a return to wonder in a world that's gotten a little too jaded and materialistic

 

Let’s not forget: ✝️ We walk by faith, not by sight... but that doesn’t mean we walk blindly. Our faith is reasoned. Pope Leo’s brainy background might just help the whole world see that more clearly.

 

 


Check out Theresa's full article 👉First Math Pope Reveals Unity of Faith and Reason.

 

🙏 And don’t forget to pray for our new Pope. (And maybe brush up on your algebra while you’re at it.)

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

John Morales chats with the brilliant Theresa Civantos Barber (Assistant Editor at Aleteia) about something we never thought we&rsquo;d say: the Pope is a math whiz! 🧮
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="406" data-end="409">
&nbsp;
📐 From Chalkboards to the Chair of Peter
&nbsp;
Yep, it&rsquo;s official: For the first time in 2,000 years of Church history, the Holy Father knows his cosines from his catechism.
&nbsp;
🗣️ &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the only cardinal in the conclave with a math degree!&rdquo; Theresa exclaimed... and that&rsquo;s a big deal. It&rsquo;s not just a fun fact for your next Catholic trivia night. It points to something much deeper and meaningful: a vibrant harmony between faith and reason.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="861" data-end="864">
&nbsp;
🧬 The Church Has Always Loved Science (Despite the Memes)
&nbsp;
While Christianity often gets a bad rap as being &ldquo;anti-science,&rdquo; Theresa reminded us that this isn't the Catholic way.
&nbsp;
Faith + Reason = 🔥: St. John Paul II famously said they&rsquo;re &ldquo;like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;Catechism backs it up, too: There can never be a real discrepancy between faith and reason.
&nbsp;
And history proves it:
&nbsp;
Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics and a Catholic monk
&nbsp;
Fr. Georges Lema&icirc;tre, who came up with the Big Bang Theory
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1576" data-end="1579">
&nbsp;
🧠 Why This Pope&rsquo;s Brain Might Be the Blessing We Need
&nbsp;
Pope Leo&rsquo;s love for logic and order is a huge gift for the Church.
&nbsp;
Theresa shared a sweet anecdote: her middle school teacher taught both math and theology because &ldquo;they&rsquo;re both about discovering the order in the universe.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s totally Catholic. We believe God made a world where everything fits together, like a really intense jigsaw puzzle with eternal consequences.
&nbsp;
And let&rsquo;s be real: having a Pope who thinks like a mathematician means:
&nbsp;
-Precise teaching 📝
&nbsp;
-Logical approaches to complex topics 🧩
&nbsp;
-A calm, rational voice in chaotic cultural times&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2264" data-end="2267">
&nbsp;
A Message to the World: Come Home, Thinkers!
&nbsp;
Theresa thinks Pope Leo is a living sign that Catholics don&rsquo;t need to choose between brains and belief. He's the Pope for:
&nbsp;
-Scientists
&nbsp;
-Engineers
&nbsp;
-Students who love equations and the Eucharist
&nbsp;
-People on Instagram who are &ldquo;Catholic-curious&rdquo;
&nbsp;
💬 &ldquo;May his papacy inspire a new generation of faithful who are unafraid to seek God through both the soul and the mind.&rdquo; 💬
 (A quote from one of the mathematicians Theresa interviewed that basically sums it all up)
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2883" data-end="2886">
&nbsp;
So, What&rsquo;s Next?
&nbsp;
Theresa hopes Pope Leo&rsquo;s papacy inspires:
&nbsp;
-A new reverence for both theology and science in Catholic education
&nbsp;
-Curiosity about creation
&nbsp;
-Most importantly, a return to wonder in a world that's gotten a little too jaded and materialistic
&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s not forget: ✝️ We walk by faith, not by sight... but that doesn&rsquo;t mean we walk blindly. Our faith is reasoned. Pope Leo&rsquo;s brainy background might just help the whole world see that more clearly.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3388" data-end="3391">
&nbsp;
 Check out Theresa's full article 👉<a href="https://aleteia.org/2025/05/12/first-math-pope-reveals-unity-of-faith-and-reason">First Math Pope Reveals Unity of Faith and Reason</a>.
&nbsp;
🙏 And don&rsquo;t forget to pray for our new Pope. (And maybe brush up on your algebra while you&rsquo;re at it.)
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.