Ed is in the right geographic region, but wrong city for World Youth Day… the correct city is Phoenix.
I live here, so I’m biased… but it has all the attributes of Vegas but it’s larger, growing more.m, nicer, and without the baggage.
The Valley is now the 10th largest metro area in the country. In 2025, according to the USCCB, the Diocese of Phoenix passed New York and Chicago to become the 2nd largest diocese in the country.
We are one of the few places in the country (along with Vegas) that is building new parishes and schools. Unlike most places where seminaries are downsizing or closing, Phoenix just opened the doors last year to its first diocesan seminary.
And Phoenix knows how to and has the infrastructure to host major events. We have two major stadiums with retractable roofs (Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks and Statefarm, host of 3 Super Bowls and the Cardinals). Plus there’s Sun Devil Stadium where JP2 said Mass in 87… fun fact, the Vatican mandated that all images of a devil and signs with the word “devil”—in Sun Devil Stadium!!—had to be covered for the Mass.
Phoenix has the hotel rooms needed and a major international airport right in the center of the city.
Finally, being so close to the border, we have a major Latin American population and culture. It would also be a perfect opportunity to beatify Ven. Fr. Eusebio Kino, SJ who established the first missions in AZ and California and is considered the founder/patron of Arizona (and another fun fact: discovered that California was not an island, as was initially assumed).
The only thing holding Phoenix back is WYD would have to take place sometime between All Saints Day and Ash Wednesday. Sadly, spring is peak Arizona weather, but I don’t think they’d let it take place during Lent. But you can’t have it in July… A bunch of teenagers from Poland visiting Arizona in the Summer… they might think they’re visiting Hell instead of a religious gathering!
JD, I'm curious to hear more about why you think it's desirable for a larger percentage of diocesan bishops to come from among the religious. My own intuition is that the formation and life of the religious is so different, especially with respect to obedience, that it can be quite a difficult transition for a former religious superior, say, to become the leader of diocesan priests.
I’m curious to hear the reason for that opinion as well, mostly because I thought it was out of character for JD to state his opinion more than once and then say nothing more about it.
Fr. Patrick, I've heard this idea proposed a few times, because many of the problems faced by diocesan priests are caused (or made worse) by the epidemic of loneliness that affects so many of them (and many lay folks as well). There are regions where each parish has a rectory with a single inhabitant. Shouldn't they combine these? Sure, it would force priests to commute, but at least they would have company.
So I've heard it suggested that a bishop from a religious order would be able to address this problem. Of course, as you point out, religious and secular priests have a radically different form of obedience, so that might cause some difficulties.
Another huge difference: virtually 100% of religious superiors began as priests (or brothers) of that order. What percentage of diocesan bishops were priests of that *same* diocese before becoming bishop?
Additionally, there's the weather. I've only been to Chicago twice, and both times were in August and it was lovely. As it seems WYDs in the northern hemisphere take place in late July/early August, that would take Phoenix, Vegas, and Houston out of the running. Seattle would be another appealing location.
They've already had one in the western US. They should have it in the Eastern half this time. Indianapolis again after the Eucharistic Congress? Or someplace bigger like Chicago.
Ed claimed that sport peppers are "not particularly Chicago", but I disagree. I've lived in four major cities on two coasts, including Los Angeles where we have a huge variety of peppers. And yet the only time I have ever seen the term "sport pepper" is at a fancy hot dog vendor who has a variety of dogs, including a "Chicago Dog". The Chicago Dog has sport peppers. Only time I have ever seen the term.
I like them, but why do they put the creepy food coloring in the pickle relish?
Sport peppers are a little bit hotter than pepperoncinis, and then jalapeños are hotter than sport peppers. All of them are different breeds of the same species (Capsicum annuum).
I think you mean you were going to squirrel this one away in the Pillar Apostolic Archives
Ed is in the right geographic region, but wrong city for World Youth Day… the correct city is Phoenix.
I live here, so I’m biased… but it has all the attributes of Vegas but it’s larger, growing more.m, nicer, and without the baggage.
The Valley is now the 10th largest metro area in the country. In 2025, according to the USCCB, the Diocese of Phoenix passed New York and Chicago to become the 2nd largest diocese in the country.
We are one of the few places in the country (along with Vegas) that is building new parishes and schools. Unlike most places where seminaries are downsizing or closing, Phoenix just opened the doors last year to its first diocesan seminary.
And Phoenix knows how to and has the infrastructure to host major events. We have two major stadiums with retractable roofs (Chase Field, home of the Diamondbacks and Statefarm, host of 3 Super Bowls and the Cardinals). Plus there’s Sun Devil Stadium where JP2 said Mass in 87… fun fact, the Vatican mandated that all images of a devil and signs with the word “devil”—in Sun Devil Stadium!!—had to be covered for the Mass.
Phoenix has the hotel rooms needed and a major international airport right in the center of the city.
Finally, being so close to the border, we have a major Latin American population and culture. It would also be a perfect opportunity to beatify Ven. Fr. Eusebio Kino, SJ who established the first missions in AZ and California and is considered the founder/patron of Arizona (and another fun fact: discovered that California was not an island, as was initially assumed).
The only thing holding Phoenix back is WYD would have to take place sometime between All Saints Day and Ash Wednesday. Sadly, spring is peak Arizona weather, but I don’t think they’d let it take place during Lent. But you can’t have it in July… A bunch of teenagers from Poland visiting Arizona in the Summer… they might think they’re visiting Hell instead of a religious gathering!
Also, @JD Flynn are the pictures/video of you taking the Malört shot?
That would be AWSOME
JD could use Medieval Times as a Pillar Party location during the event.
As much as it pains me to say, you’ve sold me.
The Pillar Podcast is one of the chief media/entertainment highlights of my week. Thank you for your munificence in sharing this one!
JD, I'm curious to hear more about why you think it's desirable for a larger percentage of diocesan bishops to come from among the religious. My own intuition is that the formation and life of the religious is so different, especially with respect to obedience, that it can be quite a difficult transition for a former religious superior, say, to become the leader of diocesan priests.
I’m curious to hear the reason for that opinion as well, mostly because I thought it was out of character for JD to state his opinion more than once and then say nothing more about it.
hardy har har har har
Fr. Patrick, I've heard this idea proposed a few times, because many of the problems faced by diocesan priests are caused (or made worse) by the epidemic of loneliness that affects so many of them (and many lay folks as well). There are regions where each parish has a rectory with a single inhabitant. Shouldn't they combine these? Sure, it would force priests to commute, but at least they would have company.
So I've heard it suggested that a bishop from a religious order would be able to address this problem. Of course, as you point out, religious and secular priests have a radically different form of obedience, so that might cause some difficulties.
Another huge difference: virtually 100% of religious superiors began as priests (or brothers) of that order. What percentage of diocesan bishops were priests of that *same* diocese before becoming bishop?
The city should be Chicago because that's where the Pope is from.
Additionally, there's the weather. I've only been to Chicago twice, and both times were in August and it was lovely. As it seems WYDs in the northern hemisphere take place in late July/early August, that would take Phoenix, Vegas, and Houston out of the running. Seattle would be another appealing location.
They've already had one in the western US. They should have it in the Eastern half this time. Indianapolis again after the Eucharistic Congress? Or someplace bigger like Chicago.
Instead of a World Youth Day, I find the most logical time for the Pope to come home is for the Eucharistic Congress in 2029.
Ed claimed that sport peppers are "not particularly Chicago", but I disagree. I've lived in four major cities on two coasts, including Los Angeles where we have a huge variety of peppers. And yet the only time I have ever seen the term "sport pepper" is at a fancy hot dog vendor who has a variety of dogs, including a "Chicago Dog". The Chicago Dog has sport peppers. Only time I have ever seen the term.
I like them, but why do they put the creepy food coloring in the pickle relish?
Are "sport peppers" basically pepperoncinis?
Sport peppers are a little bit hotter than pepperoncinis, and then jalapeños are hotter than sport peppers. All of them are different breeds of the same species (Capsicum annuum).
Sorry to have missed this! Looking forward to listening later.
World Youth Day: San Antonio in 2031–to coincide with the 800th Anniversary of St Anthony’s death.
Yes! (Totally objective here from a bit farther north on I-35!)
Ed is a Chicagoan.
Ed is English.
Both these things proving deeply true at the same time is where the magic really happens.
So how is Ed taking Fulton Sheen's beatification being in St Louis?