At the 2025 Golden Globes, Conclave screenwriter Peter Straughan responded to Megyn Kelly’s fiery critique calling the film “the most disgusting anti-Catholic film I have seen in a long time.” Straughan countered, saying, “I don’t think the film is anti-Catholic,” emphasizing its message about preserving the Church’s spiritual essence—something he considers deeply Catholic.

Director Edward Berger chimed in, explaining the film wasn’t intended as a “takedown” but as a human portrayal of Church leaders, highlighting their struggles and conscience. He welcomed the debate, noting that controversy can lead to meaningful conversations.

Now streaming on Peacock, Conclave dives into the drama of a papal election, unpacking themes of faith, power, and human imperfection. The film’s take on the Church has sparked heated discussions among viewers and critics alike.

For the full story, visit People.

Carlo Acutis, the teen tech whiz dubbed “God’s Influencer,” is on track to become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Famous for his devotion to the Eucharist and his website cataloging Eucharistic miracles, Carlo’s faith and talent left a lasting impact.

With Pope Francis recognizing a second miracle attributed to his intercession in May 2024, his canonization is now set for April 2025 during the Jubilee of Youth. A modern saint for a digital age, Carlo continues to inspire Catholics worldwide.

For the full story, visit NPR.

Breaking news out of D.C. The U.S. House just passed the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” and guess what? TikTok’s on the chopping block unless ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, lets it go. National security risks and ties to the Chinese Communist Party are at the center of this drama—sound serious? You bet.

Bill Donohue from the Catholic League is all in, calling TikTok a bad influence on youth, especially girls, and a content manipulator. His message? Protect the next generation. But not everyone’s on board—Rep. Thomas Massie says a ban could mess with First Amendment rights, putting too much control in Uncle Sam’s hands.

So here’s the real question: how do we balance security with freedom? Catholics, it’s time to dig deep—let’s talk about the moral side of this digital showdown.

For the full story, visit EWTN.

Timeline of Events

• March 2023: The Heritage Foundation, with Kara Frederick, publishes a report detailing data breaches and exploitative practices of TikTok, citing a Wall Street Journal investigation and an Australian cybersecurity firm. The report highlights TikTok’s collection of unique device identifiers, such as MAC addresses.
• April 24, 2024: President Joe Biden signs a bipartisan bill into law that mandates ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the app or cease operations in the United States.
• Unspecified Date: A U.S. appeals court upholds the constitutionality of the TikTok ban, rejecting arguments from TikTok lawyers and content creators that it violates the First Amendment.
• January 9, 2025: Jack Figge publishes an article in the National Catholic Register discussing the issues surrounding the TikTok ban and Catholic engagement on the platform.
• January 10, 2025: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear fast-tracked oral arguments regarding the constitutionality of the TikTok ban.
• January 19, 2025: The TikTok ban is scheduled to take effect.

Cast of Characters

• Joe Biden: President of the United States. He signed the bipartisan bill into law mandating the sale or ban of TikTok in the US.
• Bill Donohue: President of the Catholic League. He views TikTok as a negative influence, particularly on young people, and supports the ban.
• Thomas Massie: U.S. Representative. He opposes the TikTok ban, citing First Amendment concerns and arguing that it concentrates too much power in the government.
• Father David Michael Moses: A Catholic priest. He uses TikTok and other social media platforms for evangelization, seeing them as areas where souls need ministry, despite the risks. He has a large following on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and uses a variety of engaging content, including videos about his love of surfing and his musical talents.
• Kara Frederick: Director of the Heritage Foundation’s Tech Policy Center and former intelligence officer for the Department of Defense. She studies the harmful effects of TikTok, including data breaches and potential manipulation by the Chinese government. She is a practicing Catholic who believes that evangelization should be done outside the realm of TikTok.
• Ursula Murua: Manages EWTN News’ social media platforms. She recognizes the risks of TikTok but utilizes the platform to engage Catholics, focusing on creating dynamic content.
• Amie Duke: Social media manager for Ascension Presents. She also believes in the need to reach people where they are, including on TikTok, but recognizes the risks of the app and advocates for digital literacy.
• ByteDance: The Chinese parent company of TikTok, required to sell its U.S. operations or be banned.
• Jack Figge: Author of the National Catholic Register Article

Brief Bios:

• Joe Biden: Current President of the United States, signed into law the bill that will effectively ban or sell TikTok.
• Bill Donohue: A prominent Catholic figure and president of the Catholic League, advocating for traditional values and moral issues.
• Thomas Massie: A Republican Congressman known for his libertarian views and strong stance on protecting individual freedoms.
• Father David Michael Moses: A young, tech-savvy Catholic priest who leverages social media to evangelize, despite the risks involved with the platforms. He is unafraid to use TikTok to reach souls, but recognizes that it is a “broken” place.
• Kara Frederick: An expert in digital security and tech policy, focusing on the dangers posed by foreign adversary-controlled apps like TikTok and formerly served as an intelligence officer in the Department of Defense.
• Ursula Murua: An experienced social media manager in Catholic media. She has a large team who focuses on dynamic content, and is committed to evangelization and reaching people where they are.
• Amie Duke: A digital media professional with Ascension who utilizes social media to share Catholic messages. She strives to create content that is both engaging and uplifting.
• ByteDance: A large Chinese tech company, the parent company of TikTok.
• Jack Figge: Catholic writer who writes regularly for the National Catholic Register.