EL CAJON, California (October 19, 2026) — Author Patrick Novecosky joined host Cy Kellett for a full hour on Catholic Answers Live to discuss his new book, Icons of Mercy: The Faith, Friendship, and Legacy of John Paul II and Mother Teresa. The lively conversation explored the extraordinary lives of two of the most influential saints of the modern era, their remarkable friendship, and their shared commitment to proclaiming God’s mercy to a world desperately in need of it.
Drawing on his personal encounters with John Paul II and his extensive research into both saints, Patrick shared insights into their spiritual lives, their impact on the Catholic Church, and the enduring lessons they offer Christians today. He also fielded questions during the hour-long program, offering listeners a deeper appreciation of the courage, humility, and holiness that characterized these two remarkable figures.
One particularly timely exchange came when Cy asked Patrick to respond to inflammatory accusations made against Mother Teresa by Cody Tucker during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. Tucker had called the beloved saint a “scumbag” who “never did anything good,” alleging that her homes for the dying were “torture chambers” and that donations intended for the poor were diverted to enrich the Vatican.
Patrick challenged those accusations, arguing that Tucker fundamentally misunderstood Mother Teresa’s mission. “I have a feeling if there was [a coverup], this gentleman, Cody Tucker, wouldn’t be the first to uncover it,” Patrick observed. “He fully misunderstands what [Mother Teresa] was trying to do. She didn’t start hospitals, she started a hospice. Many of the people she ministered to were rejected by hospitals, they kicked them out. Mother and her sisters picked them up … and restored their dignity in such a beautiful way.” Her mission, Patrick explained, was to offer love, compassion, and dignity to people who had been abandoned and forgotten by society.
Throughout the interview, Patrick returned to the central theme of Icons of Mercy: that John Paul II and Mother Teresa were extraordinary witnesses to the transforming power of God’s love. Though their missions took them to very different places—one leading the universal Church and the other serving the poorest of the poor on the streets of Calcutta—they shared an unwavering conviction that every human being possesses God-given dignity. Their lives continue to challenge us to become instruments of mercy in our own families, communities, and world.
WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW HERE (55 minutes 02 seconds)
