Matthew Bunson

Matthew Bunson

Matthew Bunson is vice president and editorial director of EWTN News. For the past 20 years, Dr. Bunson has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and the author or co-author of over 50 books, including: The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

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Jacqueline Mulligan speaks during a meeting at her company, Reform Well.

Catholic Entrepreneurship

Catholic business leaders and innovators are leaving their mark on the world of entrepreneurship. We talk to Register Senior Editor Jonathan Liedl and Register contributor James Day. And, as the country of Syria labors to establish order and peace in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime, Christians and religious minorities have been caught in the upheaval. We are joined by EWTN News Contributor Alberto Fernandez with analysis.

Clergy, religious, and lay faithful gather in St. Peter’s Square for the nightly rosary vigil, holding candles and rosaries as they pray for Pope Francis’ recovery, Feb. 28, 2025.

Pope Francis Continues to Recover

Pope Francis has been undergoing care and battling pneumonia now for some two weeks, even as Catholics and non—Catholics alike pray for his recovery. This week on Register Radio we are joined by EWTN Senior Vatican Analyst, Frank Rocca with the latest from Rome. And then, we are only days away from Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. We hear from Register contributors Katie Warner and Debbie Cowden how to get the most out of Lent.

Wide shot of the Golden Dome building at the University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, DEI, and Catholic Identity

The university of Notre Dame is facing criticism for the recent DEI declaration by its chief academic officer. Register senior editor, Jonathan Liedl, reports. And then, Register staff writer, Matthew McDonald, looks at JD Vance’s claims about abortion and free speech in Scotland.

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House.

Catholics and President Trump’s Executive Orders on Transgender Ideology

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders focusing on transgender ideology. What is the Catholic response to the executive orders? This week we are joined by Register contributor Jennifer Roback Morse to discuss Bishop Robert Barron’s recent public assessment. And then, Register Senior Correspondent Edward Pentin talks to us about the deepening crisis of faith facing England.

The Church calls us to chastity.

Can Catholics use DeepSeek AI?

Artificial Intelligence, AI, is emerging as one of the most influential technological developments in recent decades. Pope Francis has warned of its potential risks but also has lauded its potential benefits. China has now also weighed into AI with its own chatbot, DeepSeek. What should Catholics think? This week on Register Radio we are joined by Courtney Mares, Rome correspondent for Catholic News Agency. And then, the Register has been taking a close look at Marriage and Courtship. Register senior editor Jonathan Liedl tells us what we found.

Students attend an all-girls Catholic school.

A Global Perspective on Immigration/ Big Blessings in Catholic Education

A conflict between the US bishops’ conference and the Trump administration over immigration caught the media’s attention earlier this week but such tensions aren’t isolated to the Church in the United States or Trump policies or even the current political moment. EWTN News contributor Alberto Fernandez gives us a broader, more global perspective on the Catholic Church and issues of migration. And on a policy issue, where the US bishops and the current White House agree, President Trump expanded school choice. That decision came during Catholic Schools Week. We take a look with Register columnist Susanna Spencer at how to preserve the biggest blessings of Catholic education.

Crowds gathered for the March for Life Jan. 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

A Fragile Calm in the Middle East/ Trump’s Historic Return/ Conversion of Heart on Roe

A ceasefire began Jan. 19 between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza after 15 months of fighting. We bring you analysis of the latest developments in this tenuously calm moment in the Middle East. Then we discuss the historical highlights of President Donald Trump’s first week back at the White House. And finally, we remember the anniversary of Roe v. Wade as we reflect on the ongoing quest to changes hearts and laws in favor of unborn human life.

Justin Trudeau attends the NATO summit in Brussels on March 24, 2022.

Canada and Catholics/New DC Archbishop

In a political earthquake in North America, Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada for the last nine years, has announced his resignation. What is his grim record when it comes to Catholics? We discuss this with Register senior writer Peter Laffin. A new archbishop for Washington arrives, and we hear about the significance of the archdiocese in the nation’s capital from Register staff writer Matt McDonald.

The Sisters of Good Help in Lebanon assist people who have been displaced by the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict.

Lebanon Christians in the Crossfire/ Lumen Gentium at 60

The Catholic liturgical year draws to a close this weekend with the Feast of Christ the King, then Advent begins. We look at the Register’s Advent and Christmas guides to prepare for the season. Then, we turn to the hopes of ceasefire in Lebanon. With EWTN News contributing editor Alberto Fernandez, we get a glimpse of the conflict’s effects on Christians. And finally, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Second Vatican Council’s Lumen Gentium with Opus Dei priest Father Joseph Thomas.