POPE FRANCIS (1936 - 2025) , An American Pope, Leo 14th, Charlie Kirk (1993 - 2025) , and Connie Francis (1937 - 2025) TRIBUTES A

In this episode , we look back at three men who worked tirelessly for their religious beliefs and trying to make this world a better place in their own way, Pope Francis, Pope Leo 14th, and Political Activist Charlie Kirk, plus a rock star from the 1950s and 60s, Connie Francis. 

Pope Francis became the first Jesuit Priest to rise to the Papacy. The first from Latin America, and the first in centuries not to be born in Europe. He had a daunting task as the Catholic Church was facing a growing scandal of Priests abusing underage kids in their parishes. It would fall to Pope Francis to rebuild the Church's image. 

He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, in Buenos Aires in Argentina. His Papacy had controversy, but he was also known for his humility, concern for the poor, the refugee, and his belief in God's mercy to man. He continued to work through various health issues right up until his own death this year. 

Which leads us to a moment I certainly never thought I would see in my lifetime, if ever. The installation of an American Pope in Pope Leo 14th, Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago. It is an event that even moved me, and I am not a Catholic, that finally we have an American at the helm of the largest Christian Church in the World. We let you learn a little bit about him also in this episode. 

 Then we look back at the all to short life, and career, of political activist Charlie Kirk. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has been the saddest story and most heinous crime I have seen in my 46 years involvement in politics. Kirk while talking to a college at an outdoor event in Utah, was gun downed by a transgender activist. What was almost as shocking was how far our society has fallen that we saw widespread celebration on the left at the news of Kirk's death. It should give everyone pause. In this episode we look back at his life and his group Turning Point USA, and while I recognize his career was one that had some level of controversy to it, he said nothing that warranted, a father of two small children, being gun down in pubic. It was a shameful day for America. 

Finally, we will also look back at the singer Connie Francis, known for her hits "Pretty Little Baby", and "Who's Sorry Now", she had a remarkable career which included a campaign song for one of the people we have profiled during the run of our show. We will let you hear that at the end of this broadcast. 

Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/
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Chapters

• 0:00 Pope Francis has died at 88 - Inside Edition
• 2:48 ABC News coverage of the assassination of Charlie Kirk
• 3:31 Music Intro
• 3:55 Pope Francis, everyman leader of the Roman Catholic Church dies at 88 - ABC News Terry Moran
• 8:04 Host Randal Wallace talks about the Pope and controversy
• 10:25 Pope Francis 60 Minutes interview - CBS News with Norah O'Donnell
• 23:56 Host Randal Wallace talks about the American Pope
• 24:59 The Ground Breaking Election of an American Pope - CBS Sunday Morning
• 31:46 Moment of silence in memory of Pope Francis
• 31:55 A tribute to Charlie Kirk - The White House
• 33:01 Host Randal Wallace talks about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk
• 36:50 ABC News story on the assassin of Charlie Kirk
• 39:48 The Truth every young American needs to hear - Turning Point USA video
• 57:26 Host Randal Wallace talks about Charlie Kirk
• 59:39 The Legacy of Charlie Kirk - The White House video
• 1:03:13 Moment of silence in memory of Charlie Kirk
• 1:03:23 Pretty Little Baby by Connie Francis, Host Randal Wallace talks about Connie Francis
• 1:05:08 Connie Francis, Pop Icon who took music world by storm dies at 87 - ABC News
• 1:08:55 Moment of silence in memory of Connie Francis
• 1:09:05 Nixon's the One by Connie Francis special closing music