Leading a Catholic Powerhouse in Secular America
Archbishop James Golka reflects on receiving the pallium from Pope Leo, why Catholicism is growing in one of America's most secular environments, and what it means to lead a Church under pressure
Archbishop James Golka became Archbishop of Denver just months before traveling to Rome to receive the pallium from Pope Leo XIV—a simple band of lamb’s wool symbolizing the responsibility of a metropolitan archbishop to shepherd Christ’s flock.
Denver occupies a remarkable place in American Catholicism. Colorado is among the country’s most secular states, yet the Archdiocese of Denver has become one of its most vibrant centers of Catholic life, with growing vocations, flourishing lay apostolates and increasing numbers of adults entering the Church.
In this conversation, Archbishop Golka explains why he believes these two realities are connected rather than contradictory. Far from seeing secular culture as merely a threat, he argues that many people—especially young people—are discovering that modern life cannot answer their deepest questions, making the Church’s message more compelling than ever.
In this conversation, we discuss:
Why Catholicism is growing in secular Colorado
Pope Leo’s vision for bishops and evangelization
The symbolism and spiritual meaning of the pallium
Abortion, social justice, and the Church’s public witness
Immigration and Hispanic ministry in the United States
The hardest decisions facing a new archbishop
This is a conversation about leadership, mission, and why one of America’s newest archbishops believes the Church’s greatest opportunities may come precisely in the places where faith seems most out of step with the culture.