If you haven’t heard about this 5th century pope, this is the perfect time to start since our current pontiff, the American-born Pope Leo XIV was so inspired by him, that he took his name – plus Pope Leo XIV's pectoral cross contains a relic of St. Leo the Great!

Reigning as Pope from 440 to 461 AD, Leo was a theological powerhouse, an unstoppable diplomat, and one of only two popes in history officially given the title "the Great."

November 10 marks his feast day — so here are 6 mind-blowing facts about the man who literally stared down invading armies, reshaped the papacy forever, left behind an incredible legacy — and now even inspired our current Pope’s name: Pope Leo XIV!

1.He Met Attila the Hun... and Walked Away Unscathed

Imagine standing face-to-face with the most feared warlord in human history — the guy nicknamed ‘The Scourge of God.’ In 452 AD, Attila the Hun was marching toward Rome, razing cities and preparing to sack the historic capital.

Who did the Romans send out as their chief negotiator? Not a giant Roman legion, but Pope Leo.

Leo rode out to meet Attila near Mantua, unarmed and wearing his papal vestments. After a quiet, tense conversation between the two leaders, Attila mysteriously agreed to turn his massive army around and leave Italy completely untouched!

Legend says Attila saw a vision of Saints Peter and Paul standing behind Leo with drawn swords, warning him not to mess with the Bishop of Rome.

2.He Negotiated a ‘No-Violence’ Deal with Vandals

Just three years after turning back the Huns, Rome faced another terrifying threat: Gaiseric and the Vandals (yes, the exact tribe where we get the word vandalism).

When the Vandals breached the city walls in 455 AD, Leo couldn’t stop them from looting, but he used his diplomatic charm to pull off a miracle hostage negotiation.

He convinced King Gaiseric to promise three crucial things: no killing citizens, no burning down buildings, and no torture. Because of Leo’s brave intervention, thousands of lives were saved, and Rome’s historic churches were left intact.

3.He Wrote the ‘Tome’ That Defined Christian Faith

Leo wasn’t just a physical shield for Rome; he was a giant of theology. During a time when theologians were fiercely arguing over who Jesus was, Leo wrote a famous letter known as the Tome of Leo.

In it, he brilliantly laid out the Catholic doctrine of the Hypostatic Union: that Jesus is one Divine Person with two distinct natures — fully God and fully man. When his letter was read aloud to over 500 bishops at the historic Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the bishops stood up and famously shouted in unison:

‘Peter has spoken through Leo!’

4.He Supercharged the Authority of the Papacy

Before Leo, the Bishop of Rome was certainly respected, but Leo turned the papacy into a global powerhouse. He was the first pope to strongly emphasize that as the successor of St. Peter, the pope holds unique spiritual authority given directly by Christ:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”

Leo saw himself as Peter’s earthly representative, setting the standard for how the papacy functions on the international stage to this day.

5.His Relics Made History Inside St. Peter’s Basilica

When Leo died in 461 AD, he became the very first pope ever buried inside St. Peter’s Basilica!

For centuries, his tomb held a few surprises — at one point in the Middle Ages, his relics were actually stored in a shared sarcophagus alongside three other popes named Leo (Leos II, III, and IV).

Today, his relics rest beneath his own dedicated altar inside St. Peter’s, right under a monumental 25-foot marble relief by Alessandro Algardi that shows Saints Peter and Paul scaring off Attila the Hun right behind him.

6.Only TWO Popes in History Share His Title

Throughout 2,000 years of Catholic history, there have been over 260 popes. But out of all of them, only two officially carry the title “the Great” in the Church's official tradition: Pope Saint Leo I and Pope Saint Gregory I (though Pope Saint John Paul II is often informally called “the Great” by many!).

With his mix of courage under fire, intellectual genius, and deep love for his people, St. Leo earned every letter of that title — proving that the greatest leaders aren't those who carry weapons, but those who stand firm in faith.

On Remembrance Sunday (November 8), Hollywood action star Henry Cavill swapped film sets and intense stunt routines for a family outing of quiet reverence, stepping into the breathtaking sanctuary of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary.

Writing on his Instagram account, the actor said:

“Went out with the family today on a glorious Remembrance Sunday. Forever grateful to those who have fought and for those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy ours.”

Cavill, who was raised in a Catholic family on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands, shared a rare personal glance into his life off-camera by posting a photo from his visit. Posing alongside the backdrop of the basilica’s ornate gold leaf, towering marble columns, and sacred artwork, the actor paid tribute to the solemn holiday observed across the Commonwealth to honor fallen military service members.

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A Quiet Tradition in the Heart of Hungary

For Cavill — famous for playing iconic, larger-than-life heroes like Superman, Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, and Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes — stepping into a Catholic basilica on Remembrance Sunday carries deep personal meaning.

Before he was trading punches on screen with Tom Cruise or donning red capes, Cavill grew up with a strong military connection. His father was a stockbroker who had previously served in the Navy, and his older brother, Niki Cavill, is a decorated Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines who completed multiple tours in Afghanistan.

That deep family tie to military service, combined with his Catholic upbringing, makes Remembrance Sunday a sacred date on the Cavill calendar — no matter where in the world movie production takes him.

Currently in Budapest for filming, Cavill took advantage of a day off to gather his family and head to the city's famed basilica.

A Sanctuary Fit for a King (and a Superhero)

Dedicated to St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary who consolidated the nation under the Christian faith in 1000 AD, the neo-Renaissance archbasilica is no stranger to awestruck visitors. Holding up to 8,500 people and housing Hungary's most sacred relic — the Szent Jobb (the incorrupt right hand of St. Stephen) — it offers a sanctuary where grand history and quiet prayer meet.

For tourists who might have been strolling through the plaza yesterday expecting standard Sunday sight-seeing, catching a 6-foot-1 Hollywood powerhouse slipping quietly into a pew to honor fallen soldiers was certainly an unexpected bonus.

Cavill’s quiet nod to his roots serves as a reminder that behind the blockbuster action sequences, CGI effects, and Hollywood glamor, his foundation remains firmly anchored in family, honor, and faith.

Whether he’s taking on supervillains on the big screen or quietly honoring heroes of the past under the arches of an ancient basilica, Henry Cavill proves that true strength often shows up in moments of quiet gratitude.

Plot twist: St. Peter’s isn’t actually the main church of Rome!

That title belongs to St. John Lateran, a mega-basilica celebrating its 1702nd birthday! That means it has been standing since 324 AD, long before knights in armor, castles, or even the USA existed.

Here are 7 wild, fun, and totally surprising facts about the world’s most epic church:

1. The Ultimate Roman ‘Trick Question’

If someone asks you, “Who was Saint John Lateran?” — don't fall for it! There is no such person.

The church was originally named after Jesus (Christ the Savior). Later on, they added St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. “Lateran” is simply the last name of a super-wealthy ancient Roman family who used to own the land! Its official name is a massive mouthful: The Papal Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran.

2. The Pope’s REAL Home Church

While the Pope lives over at the Vatican (when he’s not roaming the streets of South America like he is today!), St. John Lateran is his actual cathedral as the Bishop of Rome. In fact, popes lived at the Lateran Palace for almost 1,000 years!
Carved right over the front doors is an awesome title in Latin:

“Mother and Head of All Churches in the City and the World.”

That means this single building is considered the “Mother Church” for all 1.3 billion Catholics on Earth!

3. Recycling Ancient Roman Empire Doors!

Ever wonder what happened to the ancient Roman Empire? Well, the Church literally recycled it!

The giant, heavy bronze doors at the main entrance of St. John Lateran weren't made for the church. They were unbolted and taken directly from the Curia Julia — the actual Senate House in the ancient Roman Forum where Roman senators used to govern the empire. You are walking through the exact same doors ancient Romans used thousands of years ago!

4. The Dream That Saved a Falling Building

Back in the 1200s, Pope Innocent III had a crazy nightmare: he saw the massive walls of St. John Lateran cracking, tilting, and about to crash to the ground. But right as it was falling, a poor man dressed in rags stepped in and held the whole building up on his shoulders!

A few days later, a humble monk named St. Francis of Assisi walked in to ask permission to start his new order. The Pope recognized Francis as the man from his dream, realizing God was using him to support the whole Church!

5. Holy Stairs and Flying Relics

Just across the street from the church sits the Scala Santa (The Holy Stairs). According to tradition, St. Helena (the mother of Emperor Constantine) traveled to Jerusalem and brought back the exact marble staircase that Jesus walked up when he was put on trial by Pontius Pilate! Today, pilgrims visit to climb all 28 marble steps on their knees.

6. It Survived Earthquakes, Fires, and Even the Mafia!

St. John Lateran is like the ultimate action-movie survivor. Over 1,700 years, it has been:

Burned down by massive fires twice (in 1309 and 1361).
Rattled by huge earthquakes that cracked its foundation.
Sacked by invading armies.
Hit by a mafia car-bomb in July 1993!

Even through all the chaos, the church was rebuilt, restored, and stands taller than ever.

7. A Birthday So Big It Beats Sunday!

In the Church calendar, every single day has a special rank. Usually, Sundays are the biggest deal of the week. But two years ago, the 1,700th birthday of St. John Lateran was considered so important for the entire world that its feast day actually outranked a regular Sunday! When Nov. 9 falls on a weekend, the whole world skips the usual Sunday Mass readings to celebrate this incredible ancient building.

Meet Sister Margaret Mary and seminarian Joseph Zieminski. While many families might hope for one vocation in the household, the Zieminski family got a double dose of grace — and plenty of humor along the way.

"She's my sister," Joseph joked during a recent sit-down chat.

"His sister’s sister. That's right!" Sister Margaret Mary chimed in.

From Flute Fashionistas to Frisbee Phenoms

Growing up, the two had vastly different pictures of what the future held. While Joseph recalls wanting to be a priest from a very young age — always eager to serve at the altar as soon as he was old enough — Sister Margaret Mary’s early aspirations were a bit more involved:

"At a certain point, I definitely wanted to be a mom, have my own line of clothes, make my own clothes and have a business, have a bunch of kids, and teach flute.”

Sister Margaret Mary laughs before adding:

 "I had a lot of different dreams. But then when that call finally came, it went back to just knowing that that's what I wanted my life to be."

One of the biggest misconceptions about religious life, both agree, is that priests and sisters step into a completely different realm of reality where normal hobbies cease to exist, as Joseph shared:

"I think a lot of people think with seminarians or priests—the same with sisters—that they don't do normal people stuff… But I love baseball. Baseball and Ultimate Frisbee. I love playing sports."

And when it comes to the convent, Sister Margaret Mary has this to say:

"For sisters, it would be surprising to know that, again, we're real people and we do real people things.. We like playing Ultimate Frisbee — although we're not as good as you are! But we like playing Ultimate Frisbee or volleyball, a little bit of basketball, foursquare... we also like to do crafts. We sometimes watch movies or play games."

And when asked if they have to deal with everyday tasks, Sister Margaret Mary set the record straight:

"There's also a lot of normal chores that we have to do to keep the convent the way it should be."

Mistaken Identities and ‘First Right of Refusal’

Navigating public life in religious attire comes with its fair share of blunders. For Joseph, wearing clerical clothes before formal ordination leads to frequent encounters with parishioners out in the wild.

“One of the more funny parts of being a seminarian is when I get mistaken as a priest, even though I'm not yet!” Joseph admitted.

“It's a little awkward because I have to tell them, ‘No, sorry, I'm not a priest. I can't hear your confession, I can't bless your medals.’ But at the same time, it really reminds me that that's what I'm going for. That's the goal.”

For those sitting on the fence about discerning a call during National Vocation Awareness Week, both siblings offered reassuring, no-pressure advice for young adults feeling nervous about taking that initial step.

Joseph said stop wasting time:

“I would say just do it. Get in there!” Joseph urged.

“God will take care of you, and if it's not the right place for you, he'll make it known to you. Being in seminary, it's not like as soon as you walk through those doors, you have to become a priest. You're intending to become a priest, but it's not a promise yet.”

And Sister Margaret Mary says remember what is most important: listen to Jesus!

“Yes, and there's no shame in discerning out!”

Adding:

“You have given God the first right of refusal, in a sense, of saying, ‘Jesus, I'm going to give you my best.’ And then if he says, ‘No, I need you somewhere else,’ that's still a beautiful thing.”

Fr. Martin Kelly told mourners of visiting Mageean at the Marie Curie Hospice three weeks before her passing. Fr. Kelly, who had known Mageean since arriving in the parish in 2000 when she was an eight-year-old altar server, paid tribute to her character and the immense joy her athletic achievements brought to the nation.

Recalling his hospice visit and administering the Sacrament of the Sick, Fr. Kelly shared:

"I asked her what special graces she needed at that time. We talked about acceptance and how hard it was for her. We spoke of trust—trusting how well she was loved by Tommy, the love of her life, all her family and friends, and people and colleagues all over Ireland and Europe. I said that the reality of all this love was the expression of how God was loving her and cherishing her, especially at this time of her life."

Her funeral cortège was greeted by a guard of honour formed by her local camogie club, Portaferry GAC, and her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch.

A two-time Olympian who competed at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games, Mageean held multiple Irish national records, including the 800m, 1,000m, 1,500m, and the mile. Her victory in Rome in 2024 made her only the second Irish woman after Sonia O'Sullivan to secure an individual European outdoor title. She also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, capturing silver in Birmingham in 2022.

Mageean married her long-time partner, Thomas Moran, in a ceremony in Belfast just weeks before her death.

Editor's Note: Patrick J Passmore lives on the north coast of Ireland. He has worked with St Brigid Media on a range of projects as a consultant and writer.

Decades later, a young, struggling actor working as a Hollywood waiter poured a Scotch and soda for Stewart, revealing he had missed out on West Point’s Military Academy but still felt called to act. Stewart looked at the young man and gave him simple advice:

“Young man, you make good movies.”

That young waiter was Catholic actor Jim Caviezel.

Speaking to Raymond Arroyo on EWTN’s The World Over, Caviezel opened up about his deep connection to Jimmy Stewart — a connection that subtly weaves through his new action-thriller, Ghost Soldier.

‘Mr. Smith’ and the Legacy of Moral Courage

In Ghost Soldier, Caviezel plays Henry “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a former Special Forces Green Beret and weapons developer living off the grid in Wyoming. When a predatory foreign corporation attempts to bully local ranching families off their land, Fitz steps up to protect his neighbors.

Viewers paying close attention will catch a television playing in the home of a family Fitz protects: the 1939 classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starring Jimmy Stewart as a lone man taking on a corrupt system.

“I think there is a Jimmy Stewart element in this guy,” Caviezel shared with Arroyo.

“Stewart was a genius of an actor and somebody I really looked forward to. I got to meet him... When I walked away, he said, ‘Young man, you make good movies.’ And I never forgot that.”

For Caviezel, Stewart’s choice to risk his life in WWII and use his screen presence for noble ends set a lifelong benchmark for how an actor should view their vocation.

“I hope that there are young men after me and young women that come forward and say, ‘By God, I'm going to do the right thing.’... I think it's a continuum.”

Tactical Authenticity and Spiritual Weapons

Like Stewart’s real-world military service, Caviezel wanted Ghost Soldier to carry authentic weight rather than relying on standard Hollywood stunts. Drawing on his extensive work with Tier 1 operators and veteran Green Berets like screenwriter Chris Papasidero, Caviezel ensured the film reflected the mindset of true warriors.

“Everything was based on the work that I've done with previous Special Forces guys,” Caviezel explained.

“It wasn't like some Hollywood movie that makes a bunch of stuff up. I wanted it to be very organic... Thankfully, we have thousands and thousands of Special Forces soldiers out there that are not too hep to losing our Constitution.”

That realism extends to the spiritual realm. The film prominently features the St. Michael Prayer, a detail Caviezel introduced after noticing how many active-duty operators wore St. Michael medals into battle:

“I say, ‘Hey, on your neck. What is that?’ ‘That's my scapular.’ ‘What's that on your neck?’ And it's a St. Michael's...”

And then he asked them:

“I said, ‘Are you Catholic?' ‘No.’ 'Oh, why did you get it?’ ‘It's better than a lucky rabbit's foot, I guess.’ And so I was like, it needs to be in the movie.”

For Caviezel, combining tactical skill with spiritual devotion highlights the ultimate mission of his character — and his career:

“I don't make faith-based films... When we did The Passion of the Christ, we went out to kick everybody's ass. We wanted to be number one... And it was important because we're in a war over this culture right now... I always start with the spiritual weapons, the sacraments... My character has to fight a whole army of Special Forces. But I have weapons that nobody's ever seen, and I'm able to get inside. That's why it's a Ghost Soldier.”

Storytelling as an Eternal Annuity

Reflecting on Jimmy Stewart’s perennial classic It’s a Wonderful Life — a film Caviezel keeps framed above his mantle and watches every year — Caviezel noted that true art should echo long after an actor leaves the stage.

“Every year I see it, I watch it, I weep, I know every scene, every line... He had a connection from God. And I at some point said, ‘Lord, when I do this business, I want to bring as many people to You, even when I'm dead and gone... I don't want them to see me, I only want them to see You.’”

Whether stepping into tactical gear for Ghost Soldier or using his platform to witness to his Catholic faith, Caviezel remains dedicated to ensuring that every story he tells points toward eternal grace.

“Everything that I do in my job is about bringing people to Jesus. Because I love Him and I don't deserve it. But He loves me, and I want the world to know that I love Him.”

The EWTN interview came just ahead of the release of a new movie on the life of Jimmy Stewart. Gracing several Alfred Hitchcock thrillers including Rear Window, the Academy award winner is remembered for his heroism and excellent acting abilities.

Jimmy hits theaters today telling the life of Jimmy Stewart and Ghost Soldier hits theaters nationwide this Veterans Day weekend.

The new film stars Anthony Ippolito as Stallone and AnnaSophia Robb as his wife, Sasha. Catholic actor P.J. Byrne co-stars as legendary producer Irwin Winkler — one of two real-life producers who famously mortgaged their own homes to get the original movie made. Portraying Winkler marks one of the biggest roles yet for the 51-year-old Byrne, who recently opened up about the spiritual themes that resonate most with him in this new film.

While many view Rocky as the ultimate “dude movie” played on repeat in basement man-caves, Byrne insists Rocky is fundamentally a love story:

“I think it’s a love story, ultimately. You’ve got to remember that Rocky doesn’t win the fight. I think what God always tells us is that it’s the journey, how you interact with people, the hard work, and the choices you make along the way. He really is a beautiful, sweet man. Even though his profession is a thug, that guy’s a beautiful, sweet, soulful human being.”

The film captures Stallone’s gritty life before his big break — a period when he was living on the streets — and even forced to sell his beloved dog for $40 when he couldn't afford food. Though tempted to take jobs that would have compromised his soul, he stayed true to his convictions. Ultimately, the story celebrates triumph over darkness and the power of believing in your purpose when no one else does.

Byrne points to Rocky's selfless heart as a lesson for us all:

“The fact that he finds the girl, and they love each other, and the way he tries to take in her brother too... He’s always trying to do the right thing. I think that is an important message. For me, it comes back to: What do you believe in? Work hard, treat people with dignity and respect, believe in yourself, believe in the people around you... Anything is possible.”

Byrne grew up Roman Catholic, served as an altar boy for years, and attended Catholic institutions including Boston College and DePaul University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Jaime Nicole Padula — whom he married at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Hoboken — and their three children.

Directed by Peter Farrelly and written for the screen by Peter Gamble, I Play Rocky features standout comedic work from Byrne. Gamble praised the actor's natural humor on set:

“As a screenwriter, everyone’s adding to the movie. Every scene P.J. came into, he made it funnier. There is at least one great line in there that I did not write that he brought to it, and it's always the best line in the scene. He always brings that. It is such a gift.”

Catch I Play Rocky in theaters starting November 6th!

(Rated PG-13 for language and brief sexual references.)

Titled In Jesus’ Name, the three-part documentary series explores how evil operates, how it infiltrates human lives, and how souls find ultimate liberation through Christ.

During a harrowing exorcism detailed in the series, Father Dan Reehil recalled looking at an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe and directing a severely suffering woman:

"Please turn to your Mother."

Following his instruction, the woman was immediately freed.

 Father Reehil, a pastor and diocesan exorcist in the Diocese of Nashville, national director of Radio Maria USA, and host of Battle Ready with Father Dan Reehil, emphasizes that the project is designed to unmask the adversary rather than sensationalize him.

“The recounting of the rituals and behaviors they practiced, which opened the door to that evil in their life, is meant to reveal and expose the deceptions of Satan, who uses fear and allurement to draw people away from God,” Father Reehil explains.

He adds that the documentary was made to serve a purpose:

 "Not to glorify or overly dramatize the work of the devil. It’s meant to educate you on the reality of spiritual warfare, which affects all of us every day, whether you believe in it or not, so that you may be aware and equipped to arm yourself against the enemy of your soul with all the weapons that Christ our Lord has given his Church, both ordinary and extraordinary."

Unveiling the Tactics of the Enemy

Spanning three distinct episodes — Non Serviam, Swinging Doors, and Deliver Us From Evil — the series walks viewers through scripture, the dangerous pathways of the occult, and the triumph of human free will anchored in faith.

Experts like newly retired exorcist Father Vincent Lampert, Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob, and author Charles Fraune provide crucial pastoral insights, noting that psychological evaluations are always integrated into major exorcism assessments to ensure proper discernment.

Ultimately, the series delivers a message of profound hope. As Father Lampert notes, the devil uses intimidation to appear larger than he is, but souls anchored in sacramental life, prayer, and holiness have nothing to fear.

As Father Reehil's opening encounter demonstrates, turning toward Our Lady and clinging to the authority of Christ breaks every chain.

In Jesus’ Name is currently streaming on EWTN+ and EWTN On Demand.

Now if you’re shaking your head thinking: 

“Who in the world is Bob Dylan??”

…You might be the only one – and I am fairly positive your parents have an album stashed away somewhere – Bishop Robert Barron is a big fan and actually loves to cover his songs!

The 85-year old Nobel laureate in literature, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, but known the world over as Bob Dylan, took the music industry by storm in the 1960s and 70s’... 

He came to the Vatican decked out in his signature black, complete with a hooded sweatshirt in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.

The legendary American singer-songwriter and poet met briefly with the Holy Father on the sidelines of his ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ tour stop at Rome's Palazzo dello Sport.

Pope Leo presented the legendary folk singer with a rosary, while Dylan gifted Pope Leo his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One.

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‘I Hate You Cause Yer Man-Made...’

While this Fall November day brought the two together in person, their connection was forged earlier this year.

In the preface to a book published by the Vatican Publishing House (LEV) titled Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift, Pope Leo XIV used words from one of Dylan's poetic compositions to issue a stern warning against global rearmament and the nightmare of nuclear weapons:

“I hate you cause yer man-made and man-owned, an’ man-handled.”

The verses come from the protest song, "Go Away You Bomb,” written by Dylan in 1963 at the height of Cold War tensions. The piece remains a unique part of Dylan's catalog — it was never officially recorded or released on any music album, and its original manuscript remained unpublished until its discovery in 2013.

Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Again)

This isn’t the first time Dylan has met the Vicar of Christ. Back in 1997, Pope John Paul II famously engaged with the poet, playing in front of a huge Catholic crowd with 300,000 young people gathered for the Eucharistic Congress in Bologna Italy.

The Pope took the opportunity to touch upon some of the religious undertones of Dylan’s music. Considering the lyrics of Blowin’ in the Wind that begins with: How many roads must a man walk down, before he knows he’s a man, the Polish Pope told the audience:

“A representative of yours has just said on your behalf that the answer to the questions of your life ‘is blowing in the wind.’ It is true! But not in the wind which blows everything away in empty whirls, but the wind which is the breath and voice of the Spirit, a voice that calls and says: ‘Come!’”

Pope John Paul II continued:

 “You asked me: How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? I answer you: One! There is only one road for man, and it is Christ, who said: ‘I am the Way.’ He is the road of truth, the way of life.”

While Dylan grew up Jewish in Minnesota, and had an evangelical experience during the 1970s, his own faith life remains a mystery to many. However the songs he has written and his music is often called ‘confessional’ as he typically sings about God and spiritual warfare.

During an interview in 2002 with The Wall Street Journal, the poet and folk singer stated clearly:

 “I’m a religious person.”

He also shared his habits of reading the Bible daily, praying, and he also enjoys lighting candles and praying for the intercession of the saints when visiting churches.

Fast forward nearly three decades later, and Dylan’s words continue to resonate through the halls of the Vatican — this time in a quiet Apostolic Palace room with an American-born Pope, sealed with a Rosary, an autobiography, and a shared concern for global peace.

Check out this video of Bishop Barron covering one of Dylan's classics:

Iskander led the pregame prayer presented by Hallow. The popular prayer and meditation app served as an official partner in the 2026 Eternal City Tip-Off.

Here is the full text of the original prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this incredible opportunity today as we gather in the Eternal City. Father, we ask for your blessing over everyone who is competing today. We pray that you help us run the race that you have set before us, with faith and endurance. And on this All Saints’ Day, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, we pray that you help us remember that we do not compete for earthly glory but for your Heavenly crown. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

A day before this historic event, on Oct. 31, Iskander also had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV during the general audience held in the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall in Rome. Roughly 7,000 team members, students, and fans from the universities were in attendance.

Iskander told ChurchPop:

“Meeting the Holy Father and having the opportunity to lead the prayer at the Tip-Off Game in Rome on behalf of Hallow has been an extraordinary honor and a deeply meaningful experience for me personally.”

“These moments are especially profound for me. I see them as gifts from God, and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for the blessings He continues to pour into my life,” he added.

During the meeting, Iskander and the Holy Father shared a brief conversation and Iskander presented the Pope with a sling from “House of David.”

In a post shared on Instagram, Iskander wrote:

“Pope Leo you are a role model to me! Thank you for everything you do! Forever a moment I will never forget.”

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In 2025, Iskander announced that he had converted to Catholicism. The 25-year-old actor, who was born in Egypt but came to the United States as a child, was born and raised as a Coptic Orthodox. He told our sister agency, EWTN News, that he did not see his conversion as a rejection of his roots; instead, it was “answering a calling from God.”

Iskander is currently in Greece filming season three of “House of David.” The first season of the series alone garnered over 44 million views. Season 1 and 2 of “House of David” can be watched on Prime Video.