In this inspiring episode of Morning Air, John Morales and Fr. Marcel Taillon reflected on the often-overlooked heroes behind our popes: their fathers. What emerged was a beautiful crash course in the power of ordinary fatherhood and its role in shaping extraordinary lives of faith. They called it “Dad Power,” and it lives up to the name.
Pope Leo XIV’s father was no ordinary man. A Navy veteran who fought in World War II and took part in the D-Day landings at Normandy, he returned home to Illinois and became a teacher. His quiet strength, discipline, and intellect clearly left an indelible mark on his son. Add to that a deep love for the Chicago White Sox, and you start to see the earthy roots of the Pope’s grounded, joyful demeanor.
Pope St. John Paul II had a different story, marked by loss and intimacy. After losing his mother at a young age, young Karol was raised by his father alone. The future pope called his dad his “first seminary,” recalling his quiet fidelity and prayerful presence. When his father died while Karol was still in high school, it was the Holy Spirit, he said, that filled the space his father once held. The fruit of that relationship would become one of the most dynamic and athletic papacies in history: John Paul skied, hiked, and prayed his way into the hearts of millions.
Pope Benedict XVI grew up under the shadow of tyranny, but his father was a beacon of courage and conscience. A German police officer who openly resisted the Nazi regime, he modeled quiet integrity in a time of great danger. That strength of conviction shaped Benedict’s deep intellectual and spiritual legacy.
Pope Francis, meanwhile, was formed by the steady humility of his railway-worker father in Argentina. Faithful, hard-working, and simple, he lived the Gospel in everyday tasks. It’s no surprise that Pope Francis speaks so often of the poor, of humility, and of living simply. That’s the kind of life he saw growing up.
Fr. Marcel, fresh off his time at the Jubilee for Sports in Rome, tied the legacy of these fathers to a broader lesson. He shared how athletes from all over the world, including NBA player Gordon Hayward, gathered to discuss the harmony between faith and sports. The message? Sports can form virtue when rightly ordered: teamwork, sacrifice, and joy—but it must never replace faith.
The takeaway is this: it’s not about flash or fame. It’s about consistency, love, and fidelity. The fathers of these popes weren’t saints (yet), but they lived their vocations deeply. And in doing so, they shaped the future of the Church. As Fr. Marcel said with gentle wisdom, “Don’t just evaluate your children by today. Take the long view.” Faithful fatherhood may be the quietest ministry, but its fruits are eternal.