Ron and Ed welcome back Fr. Robert Sirico, co-founder and president emeritus of the Acton Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation about human dignity, liberty, economics, and the moral foundations of a free society using the framework of Leo XIV's encyclical, Hagnifica Humanitas. Drawing on decades of work at the intersection of theology and economics, Fr. Sirico explores why the human person must remain at the center of economic life and why markets, entrepreneurship, and business are ultimately about far more than material prosperity.
Along the way, they discuss the relationship between freedom and virtue, the dignity of work, the moral responsibilities of business, and the institutions necessary for human flourishing. It’s a conversation that goes to the very soul of enterprise: How do we build an economy that recognizes not merely what people produce, but who they are?
ABOUT FATHER SIRICO
Rev. Robert A. Sirico is co-founder and president emeritus of the Acton Institute, which promotes a free and virtuous society grounded in individual liberty and religious principles. A Catholic priest, author, speaker, and commentator, he has written extensively on economics, ethics, religion, and civil society. His work explores the moral foundations of markets and the essential place of human dignity, freedom, and responsibility in economic life.
SHOW NOTES
Segment one
Here is more information on Jimmy Lai via Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Lai
“Insist on Jimmy Lai’s Release” https://www.nationalreview.com/2026/09/insist-on-jimmy-lais-release/
“Three Prisoners I’ve Known” is Rev. Robert Sirico’s new book. Not released yet, it will include information about his conversations with Jimmy Lai (and two others)
RERUM NOVARUM, an encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labor https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html
Segment two
MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
“In Magnifica Humanitas, Leo Defends the Human Person” by Rev. Robert Sirico https://firstthings.com/in-magnifica-humanitas-leo-defends-the-human-person/
From paragraph 152 of Magnifica Humanitas: “The pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs, because the human person is an end, not a means, and the economic order must remain subordinate to human dignity and the common good.” https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html#problem_of_unemployment
"Just the facts, ma'am" —Sgt. Joe Friday (played by Jack Webb) from the classic radio and television series Dragnet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Friday
In Hebrew, the word Ai means "ruin" or "heap of ruins". It is an ancient Canaanite royal city mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (particularly in the Book of Joshua), which was famously destroyed and burned by the Israelites. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ai_(Canaan)
Segment three
From paragraph 195 of the Magnifica Humanitas: “The same logic applies to conventional warfare. Military force, weak diplomatic initiatives and the complexity of the interests at stake contribute to conflicts that tend to become protracted, with extremely high human and environmental costs. It is much easier to start a war than to stop it, and yet, discussion on conflict prevention remains tragically marginal.” https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
“Rapid GDP Growth–Best Antidote for Poverty” https://www.cato.org/commentary/rapid-gdp-growth-best-antidote-poverty
The Invisible Hand, a metaphor from economist Adam Smith https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_hand
“Luxury goods are nature’s way of subsidizing the poor who can’t afford them. When you’re buying a VCR at $2,000 […] you’re making it possible for all of us to have a VCR at $100.” —Rev. Robert Sirico
“Fusionism: Liberty, Virtue, and the Future of the American Right” by Stephanie Slade https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268211493/fusionism/
Segment four
The Incredible Bread Machine is a text of political commentary written by R.W. Grant in 1966, which discussed free market enterprise and capitalism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Bread_Machine
"I was fascinated by Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI," Gates wrote. "It lays a strong foundation for the work that needs to be done." https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
“AI Optimism Globally Widespread Despite Uneven Use” https://news.gallup.com/poll/714593/optimism-globally-widespread-despite-uneven.aspx
A big THANK YOU to Rev. Robert Sirico for joining us today. Folks, I can’t say this enough. The MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS from Pope Leo XIV is a straightforward, modern document for parsing the world in an age of artificial intelligence. More here: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
Bonus Content is Available As Well
Did you know that each week after our live show, Ron and Ed take to the microphone for a bonus show? Typically, this bonus show is an extension of the live show topic (sometimes even with the same guest) and a few other pieces of news, current events, or things that have caught our attention.
Click the “FANATIC” image to learn more about pricing and member benefits.