Could Pope Leo XIV’s digital encounter with teens at the end of November make a historic impact on religious vocations in the United States?
Catholic author, speaker, and radio host Katie Prejean McGrady recently spoke with ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile about her contribution to the new book, “When the White Smoke Clears: A Guide to Pope Leo XIV’s Early Days.”
During this lively conversation, McGrady revealed that she will have the honor of moderating Pope Leo XIV’s conversation with teens at this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Watch the full interview with Katie Prejean McGrady below:
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According to the official website for NCYC,“NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones.“NCYC is the premier Catholic youth event on a national scale that gathers people from all across America for a life-changing encounter with Christ.”The digital encounter with Pope Leo will take place in a Q&A format on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:15 EST and will air LIVE on EWTN.
Some of the other special pre-event guests will include EWTN News, Inc., President and COO Montse Alvarado, Catholic music artist Matt Maher, and actor Jonathan Roumie. Click here for the full list.
“Essentially, I get to interview the Pope with a bunch of young people who are asking him questions,” McGrady said, expressing her excitement for this upcoming honor.
McGrady also revealed that the initial conversation was only supposed to be 15 minutes, but the Vatican expanded it to 45 minutes. “The Pope, who graduated high school in the United States of America 52 years ago, wants to spend more time with the young people of America today. He wants to have a conversation with them and offer more time,” McGrady explained.
She added that she “truly can’t wait to have that conversation with him, engage in that dialogue with these young people, and to see the impact it will have.”
“Can you imagine teenage guys and gals sitting in a football stadium talking to the Pope? Like what that will do for vocations in this country?” McGrady reflected. “The Pope is giving time to listen and to talk to you. So I truly can’t wait to see.”