Episodes
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On Sept. 19, the Vatican officially recognized Medjugorje as a place of pilgrimage and popular piety, stopping short of confirming the supernatural origin of the apparitions. The next day, Pope Francis, in a fiery speech to global grassroots organizers, criticized the wealthy for obstructing social justice and advocated for higher taxes on billionaires, an end to sports betting, and a universal basic income.
Also on the show, host Colleen Dulle and Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell discuss Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium and Luxembourg from Sept. 26-29 and what he might find in these increasingly secularized, historically Catholic countries.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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Links for further reading
Vatican finally approves Medjugorje devotion: visit Mary but not the visionaries
Pope Francis says tax billionaires, stop sports betting in fiery economics speech
Vatican cancels papal audiences because Pope Francis has ‘slight flu’
Why supernatural apparitions are a mixed blessing for the Vatican
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Pope Francis’ 12-day Southeast Asia visit ended in striking contrast to its start, reports veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell. Singapore’s relatively empty streets upon his arrival gave way to 55,000 supporters in the stadium for his final Mass, where he took extra time to greet and bless children. On the flight back to Rome, resuming his now-anticipated press conferences, Pope Francis criticized U.S. presidential candidates, labeling Kamala Harris’s views on abortion and Donald Trump’s migration policies as “both against life.”
In the second half of the show, Gerry and host Colleen Dulle share the latest plans for the next session of the Synod on Synodality next month.
Do you have a question for our mailbag episode? We’d love to hear from you! You can submit your questions in writing or send a voice memo to [email protected]. Please include your first name in any voice message. Questions are due Sept. 27.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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Pope Francis continues his longest international visit to date: an almost-two-week tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell reports live from Dili, the capital city of Timor Leste, sharing insights into the pope’s historic visit to Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste—where nearly half of the country’s population gathered to celebrate Mass with him—and previews the final leg of the trip to Singapore.
Read more about the pope's historic trip to Asia
Do you have a question for our mailbag episode? We’d love to hear from you! You can submit your questions in writing or send a voice memo to [email protected]. Please include your first name in any voice message. Questions are due Sept. 27.
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This week, Pope Francis embarked on the longest journey of his pontificate: A two-week trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania. In the season premiere of ‘Inside the Vatican,’ veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell reports from Jakarta, Indonesia, on how the visit is progressing and what lies ahead as the pope travels to Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.
Find links for further reading on the pope’s Asia trip here.
Do you have a question for our mailbag episode?
Do you have questions about the Synod on Synodality or other Vatican matters? Submit them via email to [email protected] by Sept. 27. You can choose to send your question in writing or as a voice memo, but please make sure to include your first name if you’re sending a voice memo.
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The Vatican declared Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò guilty of schism and excommunicated on July 4. For anyone who has followed the archbishop’s public statements over the past few years, the decision was anything but a surprise. Still, no one could have predicted that this Vatican diplomat with more than 40 years of service would fall so precipitously from favor.
In this special deep dive episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle interviews journalists, a canon lawyer, and a historian to trace Viganò’s transformation from top Vatican official to being excommunicated for schism, and what that transformation means for the rest of the Catholic Church.
Special guests:
Robert Moynihan, editor-in-chief of Inside the Vatican magazine and a friend of Viganò
Gerard O’Connell, Vatican correspondent for America
Dawn Eden Goldstein, who holds a licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of America
Shaun Blanchard, lecturer in theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia
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Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò faces a Vatican trial for schism that is likely to end quickly. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and host Colleen Dulle explain the charges against the Vatican’s former nuncio to the U.S., and what happens next in his extrajudicial disciplinary process.
Later, Colleen shares with Gerry what happened when she asked the prefect of Vatican communications Paolo Ruffini’s to explain why his dicastery continues to use artwork by the disgraced ex-Jesuit Marko Rupnik in its publications.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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Pope Francis met individually with ten world leaders at the G7 Summit. He also made history as the first pope to attend and deliver a speech at the gathering, where he urged delegates to prioritize ethics in artificial intelligence for the common good. Earlier that day, he had met with 100 international comedians at the Vatican. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell bring you inside both events.
Father James Martin, S.J., joins them to discuss the pope’s meeting with comedians, which he attended, and his hour-long private meeting with the pope, during which he asked about the pope’s reported use of a homophobic slur in closed-door meetings at the Vatican.
NEWS UPDATE: After our recording, news broke that Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó had been charged with schism by the Vatican and will face trial. You can read Gerry’s report here.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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U.S. Cardinal Robert McElroy urged U.S. Catholics to be “more vigorous advocates” in support of Pope Francis’ calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, in an interview with America’s veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell.
On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and host Colleen Dulle discuss Gerry’s interview with the cardinal and give an overview of a busy week for the pope. On Friday, he will meet with a group of comedians including Whoopi Goldberg and Stephen Colbert, then travel to southern Italy for the G7 summit, where he will meet U.S. President Joe Biden.
After this episode was recorded, news broke that Pope Francis had reportedly again used the anti-gay slur that he apologized for using two weeks ago. Read more at the link below.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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Pope Francis hosted the inaugural World Children’s Day, a Vatican initiative held from May 25 to 26 at Rome’s Olympic Stadium and St. Peter’s Square. The event drew around 50,000 children spanning more than 100 nationalities and featured conversations between the young participants and Pope Francis. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and actor Roberto Benigni were also in attendance. With the event, the pope hoped to raise awareness about the plight of children caught in war, promote global peace, care for the environment and empower the younger generation.
On the show, producer and guest host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell discuss this unique event and the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to foster peace and dialogue among warring factions worldwide.
Later, Gerry reflects on “20 Days in Mariupol,” the award-winning film he saw at the Vatican. The documentary, screened as part of a special event hosted by the British and Ukrainian embassies to the Holy See, exposes the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. It highlights the horrors of war and underscores the crucial role of journalists in uncovering the truth.
Links for further reading from the episode here
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Pope Francis is under fire for reportedly using a homophobic slur during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops at the Vatican on May 20. The incident occurred during a Q&A session where seminary admissions policy for gay candidates was discussed. Despite a swift apology from the Vatican on the pope’s behalf, the incident has led many to question whether there are limits to what had hitherto been perceived as Pope Francis’ welcoming and inclusive stance toward L.G.B.T.Q. persons.
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and co-host and veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell discuss the recent incident, the Vatican’s apology, and its aftermath. They discuss the pope’s concerns about seminary formation, including fears of priests leading “double lives” and a perceived “gay subculture” in seminaries. They also revisit a 2005 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education, which has been reaffirmed by Pope Francis, barring gay men from entering seminaries to train for the priesthood.
Find links for further reading from the episode here
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A day after news broke that Pope Francis had allegedly used a derogatory word about gay men applying to seminaries in a closed-door conversation with Italian bishops, the Vatican has issued an official response:
“Pope Francis is aware of articles that recently came out about a conversation, behind closed doors,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office. “The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term, reported by others.”
For more on this story, click the links below:
Pope Francis says Italian seminaries should reject gay applicants
Vatican issues apology after Pope Francis’ use of a homophobic slur
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In his 60 Minutes interview with Norah O’Donnell, Pope Francis said a categorical “no” to women deacons with Holy Orders. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell unpack the implications of the pope’s comment and discuss the broader highlights of the interview, including Pope Francis’ thoughts on his U.S. critics, antisemitism, and the hope he finds in humanity.
In the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry dig into the Vatican's new document on authenticating Marian apparitions and alleged “supernatural phenomena.” Released May 17, the 13-page guide establishes new, much-needed norms for evaluating such phenomena.
Plus, stay tuned for headlines about Pope Francis' travels, a significant conference in Rome on the Catholic Church in China, and more.
Find links for further reading from the episode here.
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On May 9, Pope Francis issued a papal bull proclaiming the 2025 Jubilee Year. The document, resembling a social encyclical, urges nations to grant amnesty to prisoners and calls on the world’s most powerful entities to forgive the debts of poor countries. Can Pope Francis’ calls match the impact of John Paul II’s in the Jubilee of 2000?
Later, Colleen shares her review of reports from a global synod meeting of 200 parish priests, held just outside Rome, and suggests that this meeting gave rise to a collective vision for a “synodal parish”.
Links from the episode here.
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As the war in the Holy Land continues to escalate and protests break out on university campuses around the world, Pope Francis persists in his calls for peace. But is it possible? Where does peace begin?
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” David Neuhaus, S.J., an Israeli priest who teaches Scripture in Israel and Palestine, joins hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell for a conversation on what he believes can bring peace in the Holy Land war. He reflects on how Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs can engage in dialogue without dismissing each other’s painful histories, and emphasizes the need for sensitive language when addressing each other’s traumatic histories.
Find full show notes and links for further reading here.
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Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope to attend the iconic Venice Biennale cultural festival in its 128-year history. After a Vatican-sponsored exhibition at a women’s prison, he met with inmates and staff before celebrating Mass in St. Mark’s Square.
Looking ahead, host Colleen Dulle and veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell preview the pope’s forthcoming visits to Italian cities, including his expected appearance at the G7 summit in Puglia next month. Pope Francis will become the first pope to address the G7, sharing his concerns about the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence and its profound ethical implications.
Find full show notes and links for further reading here.
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“A negotiated peace is better than a war without end,” said Pope Francis in an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell, marking the first such interview for network television in the U.S. Amid conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the pope advocated for global peace. The full interview airs May 19 on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” covering topics such as child welfare, women’s roles, L.G.B.T.Q. ministry and speculation on the pope’s resignation.
Recording “Inside the Vatican” live from Buenos Aires, host Colleen Dulle reflects on her visit to the pope’s homeland, which has given her a deeper understanding of his emphasis on “being amongst the people,” she says, and his belief that “you can’t do theology behind a desk.” She highlights the vibrant lay ministry in Argentina and the impact of the newly instituted ministry of catechist, which she’s now seen in action firsthand.
Later, Gerry shares insights from his interview with Mark Lewis, S.J., who will lead the newly merged Gregorian University. The integration of the Biblical and Oriental Institutes with the Gregorian under Father Lewis’ leadership marks a historic first step by the Jesuits in the effort for greater synergy and collaboration among the pontifical institutions in Rome.
Find links from the show here
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After being removed by Pope Francis as head of the papal household, evicted from his Vatican apartment and returned to his native diocese in Germany, Archbishop Georg Gänswein is reportedly set to be appointed as a nuncio, or papal ambassador.
On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and host Colleen Dulle analyze the reported forthcoming appointment of Benedict XVI’s longtime secretary and how it fits into the archbishop’s often publicly tumultuous relationship with Pope Francis.
In the second half of the show, Colleen and Gerry break down Pope Francis’ brief but dense statement responding to the military escalation between Iran and Israel this past weekend.
Find full show notes and links for further reading here.
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The Vatican released a document on human dignity this week with sections denouncing what it calls “gender theory” and “sex change.”
In this special round table episode of “Inside the Vatican,” America’s Editor-in-Chief Fr. Sam Sawyer, S.J. and the Executive Director of Outreach, America’s LGBT Catholic resource, Michael O’Loughlin, join host Colleen Dulle for a discussion on the document “Dignitas Infinita” and the pastoral challenges it presents in the guests’ ministry to LGBT Catholics.
Find full show page and links for further reading here.
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This week, the Vatican issued a new document on human dignity. Although it primarily reiterates established Catholic teaching on various topics, it has already become controversial because of its condemnations of gender theory, sex change efforts, and surrogate motherhood.
On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell analyze the document. Since much of what is covered in the document has already been addressed by the Vatican, Colleen asks, why publish this declaration now? And why did it take five years to put together?
Find full show notes and links for further reading here.
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Catholics from the pews to the pope are worried about young priests. The October 2023 synod recommended a number of changes to the seminary system, but to understand them, one first needs to understand how priests are formed, and how that process has undergone major changes in recent years.
In this special “Deep Dive” episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle speaks to seminarians, rectors (seminaries’ top administrators), professors and psychologists from across North America to give a comprehensive picture of seminary formation today and the challenges formators are seeing. Along the way, the episode explains the synod’s specific reform requests and what we know about what will happen next.
Read the full show notes and find links to read more here.
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