Inside The Vatican

4.9 (23)
CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning.

14 HRS AGO

Is Iran a ‘just war’? U.S. Cardinals weigh in

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss comments from Pope Leo XIV and three cardinals on the Iran War, including one cardinal’s analysis of whether the conflict meets the requirements of a “just war.” In the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry give an overview of the three synod study group final reports that have been released so far: on digital mission, seminaries and women’s roles in the church. 0:00 Intro 1:04 Pope Leo’s comments on Iran 7:30 Cardinal Cupich warns against ‘gamifying’ war 12:25 Cardinal David on war technology 14:10 Cardinal McElroy on Just War Theory 21:27 New papal nuncio to the U.S. 24:33 Synod study group report on digital mission 28:31 Final report on seminary formation 31:46 Final report on women’s ministries 36:36 Why did Cardinal Sako resign? Links: Register for Gerry’s book launch Pope Leo calls for a stop to ‘the thunderous sound of bombs’ in the Middle East Pope Leo praises heroic action of priest killed by Israeli tank fire in Lebanon Iran’s Cardinal Mathieu evacuated to Rome Cardinals McElroy and Cupich denounce Iran war: ‘War now has become a spectator sport.’ Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Caccia as nuncio to the United States First synod final reports published: on digital culture and seminary formation The changing face of seminary formation: Group therapy, digital detoxing and more listening Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support Inside the Vatican by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min
MAR 6

Why Pope Leo was ‘economic with words’ on Iran war

On Saturday morning, Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with other senior regime figures. The following day, Pope Leo appealed for peace, urging world leaders to stop “the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm.” This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Veteran Vatican Correspondent Gerard O’Connell explains why he saw Leo’s comments as relatively restrained compared to John Paul II’s at the beginning of the Iraq War. In the second part of the show, Gerry shares a story from his forthcoming book on the 2025 conclave. 0:00 Intro 2:20 Vatican response to Iran war 7:05 John Paul II on the 2003 Iraq War 9:07 Pope Leo decries 'zeal for war' 10:48 Archbishop Coakley speaks out on war 11:30 On the Christian communities of Tehran 12:50 Pope Leo talks on Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai 14:18 Cardinal Parolin's statements on the war 19:00 What difference the Vatican make 22:14 Stories from Gerry's new book on the conclave 25:40 Cardinal forgets to give away his phone 27:25 Cardinals unused to having no phones 29:00 Behind the scenes of the conclave 32:05 Is the conclave not 'top secret'? 33:26 Outro Links: Pope Leo urges a halt to ‘spiral of violence’ across Iran and Middle East Cardinal Parolin on Iran war: ‘The force of law has been replaced by the law of force’ Address of Pope Leo XIV to Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, Jan. 9, 2026 Against Unjust and Unjustified War with Iran I regret supporting the Iraq War. We shouldn’t repeat our mistakes in Iran now. Book Excerpt: Behind the scenes of Pope Leo XIV’s election The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support Inside the Vatican by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37 min
FEB 27

SSPX rejects Vatican dialogue offer

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss the announcement of several new papal trips, as well as the Society of St. Pius X’s rejection of a Vatican offer for dialogue and what could happen next. In the second part of the show, the hosts look at the situation of Ukrainian Catholics and the Vatican’s efforts to help end the war on its fourth anniversary. 0:00 Intro 0:47 Papal trips for spring announced 7:30 SSPX rejects Vatican proposal 12:33 The extra letter to SSPX that Gerry saw 17:30 Cardinals Muller and Sarahs’s warnings 19:24 What’s next for SSPX? 24:14 Fourth anniversary of war in Ukraine 26:59 Vatican response to Ukraine peace talks 31:02 Vatican’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine 34:02 Situation of Ukrainian Catholics 38:32 Outro and Credits Links: Pope Leo XIV to embark on 10-day Africa tour and trips to Spain and Monaco SSPX rejects Vatican dialogue, plans to consecrate bishops without papal mandate Cardinals Müller, Sarah urge SSPX to submit to papal authority Pope Leo calls for ‘an immediate ceasefire’ to the war in Ukraine Four years of war: ‘The Ukrainian Catholic Church is wiped out every time there is Russian aggression.’ Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support Inside the Vatican by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

41 min
FEB 20

Pope Leo’s first Lent begins

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Senior Vatican Correspondent and Contributing Editor Ricardo da Silva, S.J., discuss the Vatican’s decision not to join President Trump’s Board of Peace, Pope Leo’s Lenten message, and the pope’s plans for the first Lent since his election last May. 0:00 Intro 0:35 Vatican declines Board of Peace invitation 5:06 Pope Leo’s Ash Wednesday plans 7:17 Pope Leo’s Lenten message 12:14 Inviting communities to listen during Lent 14:30 Pope Leo calls war a public health crisis 18:14 Pope Leo begins visiting Roman parishes 22:43 Altar girls serve at papal Mass 25:36 Recent appointments of women in Vatican offices 29:20 Pope Leo dissolves papal committee for World Children’s Day 32:11 Credits Links: Vatican will not join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Cardinal Parolin says Pope Leo XIV explains why Catholics fast during Lent Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support Inside the Vatican by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

35 min
FEB 13

The Vatican and SSPX: A Timeline

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle are joined by longtime Vatican journalist John Thavis to discuss the strained relationship between the Vatican and the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, after the Society said it plans to ordain new bishops July 1 with or without papal permission. 0:00 Intro 1:08 Pope Leo travel updates 4:36 What is the Society of St. Pius X? 7:14 SSPX’s beginnings and beliefs 12:46 The 1988 SSPX bishops’ ordinations 16:48 Pope Benedict and the Latin Mass 22:24 Benedict lifts excommunications, offers autonomy 28:05 Pope Francis’s actions on SSPX and Latin Mass 30:34 Questions facing Pope Leo XIV 36:37 What do the Vatican and SSPX each want? 42:57 Update on Feb. 12 meeting with Cardinal Fernandez 44:00 Credits St. Pius X Society to ordain new bishops without Vatican approval, risking excommunication The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church Follow Gerry on X: @gerryorome Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support Inside the Vatican by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
FEB 6

Minneapolis Bishop on ICE, immigration and Pope Leo

Bishop Kevin Kenney was born in Minneapolis and has ministered to Latino communities there for years. Now an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he speaks to America about the realities facing Latino Catholics on the ground and what the Catholic Church is doing to support them. 0:00 ICE outside churches and schools 4:45 How the Catholic Church is responding 10:00 Targeting criminals only? 11:45 Preaching during the crisis 15:12 Ministering to ICE 16:45 Latinos have enriched Minneapolis 18:53 Longterm effects 23:45 Pope Leo and prioritizing immigration 34:00 What Bishop Kenney is praying for Links for further reading: Twin Cities pastors preach on the killing of Alex Pretti: ‘We are walking in darkness and living in fear’ I’m a Minnesota Catholic mom. Here’s what my neighbors are saying about ICE No more funding for ICE without reform. Congress must act Bishop Tyson: Not all are called to be martyrs like Alex Pretti. But we can be witnesses Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund Support Inside the Vatican by ⁠becoming a subscriber to America Magazine⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

42 min
JAN 30

How the Vatican is thinking about Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ invitation

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Junno Arocho Esteves, international correspondent for OSV News, joins host Colleen Dulle to explain what factors the Vatican is likely weighing in its decision-making on whether or not to join the “Board of Peace.” Links from the show: Vatican weighs joining Trump’s Board of Peace but calls for respect for international law Top Vatican official calls violence in Minneapolis ‘unacceptable’ Pope encourages Neocatechumenal Way to continue mission ‘without closing yourselves off’ Pope Leo to visit Spain this year, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and Canary Islands, cardinal says What does the Vatican know about A.I.? A lot, actually. Pope Leo gives stark warning on AI: We must ‘safeguard ourselves.’ Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min
JAN 23

U.S. cardinals speak out against Trump on Greenland, Venezuela and Ukraine

On “Inside the Vatican,” America Chief Correspondent Kevin Clarke joins Colleen Dulle to discuss the cardinals’ statement, analyzing its content, precedents, and potential impact on the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Links from the show: Vatican expert John Allen shaped a generation of Catholic reporters Vatican weighs joining Trump’s Board of Peace but calls for respect for international law Cardinals urge Trump to step back from threats on Greenland and Venezuela Archbishop Broglio: It is ‘morally acceptable’ for troops to disobey ‘morally questionable’ orders on Greenland Pope Leo meets families of victims of Crans-Montana fire Pope encourages Neocatechumenal Way to continue mission ‘without closing yourselves off’ Vatican completes official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV for papal basilica Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 min

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TRAILER

Inside the Vatican - Trailer

Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2018-10-16

•

1 min

Colleen Dulle

Host
Gerard O'Connell

Host

4.9

out of 5

23 Ratings

Quality reporting on the Vatican

2025-06-05

RL-EV

Insightful and truly insider information. Gerry and Colleen make a great team! Coverage of the papal transition exceptional.
Thank you!

2024-02-18

Suzannefrig

Interesting and relevant
Essential

2021-03-03

22783

Thank you Colleen and Gerry for this very brilliant podcast. It has become essential listening. The insights and background to put Francis visit is brilliant and I am going to share it with my parishioners in my weekly letter on Saturday. Any thought given to extending the podcast to this length in the future? On another note, when the Pope and Gerry are safely back in Rome I would love to hear your thoughts on the very confusing messaging on the vaccine from the US bishops. Although I live in Canada and it shouldn’t affect us much, it really does and is deeply troubling.
Fantastic!

2020-10-21

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I enjoy the objective in-depth analysis

Each week, Colleen Dulle goes behind the headlines of the biggest Vatican news stories with America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell. They'll break down complicated news stories that have a whole lot of history behind them in an understandable, engaging way. Colleen and Gerard will give you the inside scoop on what people inside the Vatican are thinking, saying—and planning.