On The Patrick Madrid Show, a caller named Jodi from Las Vegas seeks guidance on how to defend the papacy during discussions with a Protestant friend who had raised several familiar objections regarding the Catholic Church — particularly the role of St. Peter and the legitimacy of the papacy. In response to claims such as “Peter was not truly the rock” and “the Catholic Church is not the true Church,” Jodi countered by noting that the Church founded by Christ would reasonably be expected to possess a 2,000-year history.

Jodi then asks Patrick whether every pope can indeed be traced back to St. Peter. Patrick confirms that there is a well-documented and historically preserved list of popes beginning with St. Peter, readily accessible through reputable sources such as the Catholic Encyclopedia — or even more commonly available platforms like Wikipedia.

Patrick also acknowledges the common objections Jodi encountered, including debates over the interpretation of Peter’s role and criticisms regarding imperfect historical figures within the papacy. He reassures her that such objections can be effectively addressed through Scripture, historical documentation, and sound scholarship. Patrick references his book Pope Fiction, which addresses many of these recurring misconceptions.

Patrick advises Jodi to rely on credible sources — whether books, historical records, or online archives — to confidently address these challenges. Ultimately, he emphasizes that anyone sincerely seeking the truth will find nearly 2,000 years of Church history available for examination.

 

 

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