The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network

Pope Leo XIV just released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on artificial intelligence and human dignity — and in this episode of The Tangent, Matt Sperrazza and Fr. Sam explain what it actually says and why it matters.
Released in May 2026 and presented by the Pope himself alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, Magnifica Humanitas is the most significant Catholic teaching document on AI to date. But what does the Church really teach about technology, and why would an atheist AI leader ask the Vatican for ethical guidance?
We walk through the whole thing in plain language. In this episode you’ll learn:
• What a papal encyclical is — and what it is not (it doesn’t change Church law)
• Why the tech industry is turning to the Catholic Church for an ethical framework
• How “the medium is the message” applies to AI — and the danger of treating people like data
• Why Pope Leo told parents to think twice about giving kids smartphones
• What Catholic social teaching (Rerum Novarum, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity) has to do with AI
• Whether technology is morally neutral
• The Pope’s warning about transhumanism, suffering, and what makes us human
• Why AI can’t replace real art, real creativity, or real human connection
• The “hermeneutic of continuity” — and how Leo is teaching us to read Pope Francis Whether you’re Catholic, curious, a parent, or someone working in tech, this is a clear, faithful, and surprisingly funny guide to the questions AI is forcing all of us to ask.
Notes
The Pillar
 Mythologist Tells Matt Fradd a Story
Email List 
Support Veritas
Church Docs
Magnifica Humanitas (Pope Leo XIV)
Rerum Novarum (Pope Leo XIII)
Gravissimum Educationis (Vatican II, on Christian education): Second Vatican Council
Laudato Si’ (Pope Francis)
Pascendi Dominici Gregis: (Pope St. Pius X)
Other Veritas Shows 
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
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(disclaimer: AI used to help compile notes & write description)
 

Matt is joined by Gary Michuta to discuss his new book Messiah: Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ.
Gary is a returning guest to the show you can listen to his previous episode here. 
Notes
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Ed Broom joins Fr. Sam Kachuba and Matt Sperrazza in order to discuss his newest book, 10 Weeks to Spiritual Advancement. The book is not just an explanation of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's spiritual exercises, it is a 10 week, at home retreat through those exercises. 
Fr. Broom explains different types of prayer (vocal, contemplation, mediation, etc.), the importance of a spiritual director, the key to fruitful Marian prayer, and the value of a general confession. Plus so much more!
Resources & Links
10 Weeks to Spiritual Advancement by Father Ed Broom
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (Poole translation)
Sophia Institute Press
Notes
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
 

Fr. Sam Kachuba was invited to give a presentation to the new Chesterton Academy of Blessed Michael McGivney in New Haven, CT. 
Links
Chesterton Schools Network 
Chesterton Academy of Bl. Michael McGivney
Dr. Dale Ahlquist on the Tangent
Notes
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
 

Matt & Fr. Sam sit down with friend of the show Dr. Dan Schneider to discuss Modernism. They defined the heresy and connected it to past and present events in the life of the Church, this includes everything from:
the error of Magisterialism
The DDF's recent document on referring to Our Lady as "Mediatrix of all Grace"
the German Synodal way
Benedict XVI's hermeneutic of faith over hermeneutic of suspicion
Process theology
Sr. Lucia's message regarding the last battle between Christ and the devil,
and ordering your life with a rule of prayer...
Enjoy this week's episode!
Notes
Dr. Dan Schneider 
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

Fr. Sam and Matt sit down with Dr. Paul Taylor to discuss the Hardiness Effect, Dr. Taylor's new book about growing from stress in order to live a fuller life. The short of it is that cultivating hardiness will help you liver a fuller life. After all, you can't give what you don't have.
Dr. Paul Taylor is a Psychophysiologist, with a PhD in Psychology, separate master's degrees in Exercise Science and Nutrition and a postgraduate qualification in Neuroscience. A former Royal Navy Aircrew Officer and Adjunct Professor at University of San Francisco. Paul is a leading expert in hardiness - the cutting-edge science that transforms stress into competitive advantage.
Dr. Paul Taylor
Dr. Paul Taylor
The Hardiness Effect
Death by Comfort
Veritas Catholic Network
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
 
 

Father Sam and Matt Sperrazza sit down to chat about his new gig...
Notes
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)

In this episode, Vince Benevento shares his personal journey from a troubled youth to leading a men's mental health practice. He discusses the crisis of formation in young men, the impact of technology and social media, and the importance of strong male mentorship and family relationships. Vince Benevento discusses fatherhood, mental health, emotional regulation, and his book 'Boys Will Be Men'. He shares practical insights on building strong relationships, fostering emotional intelligence in children, and supporting young men through mentorship and therapy. (Summary created by AI)
KEY TOPICS
- Crisis of formation in young men
- Impact of technology and social media on relationships
- Importance of male mentorship and fatherhood
- Vince Benevento's personal journey and professional work
- The importance of consistency in fatherhood
- Helping kids learn emotional regulation
- the Impact of technology on parenting
- Supporting young men via mentorship
- Lessons from 'Boys Will Be Men'
Resources
Ephesians 5
Let Me Be Frank
Causeway Collaborative
Boys Will Be Men by Vince Benevento
EXTRA NOTES
Notes
Email List 
Support Veritas
Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Let Me Be Frank with Bishop Frank Caggiano (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
The Frontline With Joe & Joe (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)
White Collars (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify) 
Restless Catholic Young Adults: (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)  
Daily Gospel Reflections (Podbean) (Apple) (Spotify)