What chronic pain taught Ross Douthat about God and suffering

You might know Ross Douthat as the token conservative at The New York Times, or the Catholic critic of Pope Francis. But in his new book, The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery, you’ll see a different side of Ross: a father and husband suffering with an incredibly painful chronic disease, looking for relief—and answers. We talk to Ross about how his experience of chronic Lyme disease affected his faith, what it taught him about the suffering in our society that is often out of sight and how friends and you can best accompany a loved one who is sick or in pain.  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss President Joe Biden’s meeting with Pope Francis, and share the pope’s prayer intention for the month of November. Want more Jesuitical? Join our Patreon community to get bonus episodes! Links from the show: Biden says Pope Francis told him to ‘keep receiving Communion’ Leaked draft of bishops’ document on Communion lacks explicit reference to pro-choice politicians Burned out, overworked or depressed? Pope Francis is praying for you. The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery What’s on tap? Pumpkinhead Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices