Tattoos are deeply meaningful—and religious—for many young people

Behind (almost) every tattoo is a story, and this week’s guest thinks the church should start listening to those stories. Gustavo Morello, S.J., an associate professor of sociology at Boston College, has studied the religious significance of tattoos and found that even tattoos that don’t seem particularly religious can have a deep spiritual meaning for those who have them. We ask Gustavo about religious hang-ups around tattoos, their rising popularity and what they can teach us about the faith lives of young people. In Signs of the Times, we’re talking about the pope’s monthly prayer intention encouraging nuns to fight back when they’re treated unfairly by men of the church and we remember a Catholic music icon. Links from the show: LIMITED TIME ONLY: $350 our pilgrimage to Italy Pope Francis tells nuns: Fight back when you are treated unfairly ‘by men of the church.’ Catholic sister whose rock version of Our Father topped charts dies at 84 For many, a tattoo isn’t just ink. It’s a religious experience. What’s on tap? Malbec from Argentina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices