Inside The Vatican

4.7 (417)
Christianity
Updated Weekly

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.

1d ago

‘Amoris Laetitia’ at 10: The history, tensions and legacy

In this week’s episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Pope Francis biographer Austen Ivereigh and America executive producer Sebastian Gomes join Colleen Dulle to discuss this week’s Vatican meeting on “Amoris Laetitia,” ten years after Pope Francis published his controversial exhortation on marriage and the family. Austen and Sebastian recap the tense 2014 and 2015 synods on the family, what Pope Francis decided in Amoris Laetitia and what is to be discussed at a Vatican meeting on the document to be held Oct. 7-14 for the heads of the world’s conferences of bishops. Chapters: 00:00 10 years after Amoris Laetitia 2:09 Pope Francis calls the Synod on the family 11:30 What was at stake? 14:50 Two temptations in the Synod 19:26 Overcoming tensions and polarization 21:50 Divorced and remarried Catholics 27:56 Challenges facing families 30:30 What does Amoris Laetitia say? 37:54 Access to the Sacraments? 40:39 A controversial document 42:44 Implementing Amoris Laetitia 44:22 Pope Leo wants to discuss it Links: Bishops are meeting at the Vatican next week to discuss ‘Amoris Laetitia.’ Here’s what you need to know. Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future by Pope Francis and Austen Ivereigh Communion for the divorced and remarried, papal critics and family life: Pope Francis’ ‘Amoris Laetitia’ at 5 years Sign up for our new newsletter, Vatican Notebook⁠! https://www.americamagazine.org/sign-up-for-vatican-notebook-email-newsletter 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
6d ago

French Catholicism Reborn? What happened on Pope Leo’s visit to France (and why it matters for all of us)

This week on Jesuitical, Colleen Dulle joins hosts Zac Davis and Sebasian Gomes to discuss Pope Leo’s recent visit to France, including his messages on assisted dying, European identity and the role of the Catholic Church in a secular country. Colleen also reflects on her experience of traveling with the pope for the first time. Sign up for Colleen’s newsletter, Vatican Notebook! Chapters: 00:00 First time on the papal plane! 4:02 Why Pope Leo went to France 6:45 Catholic revival? 9:43 Secularity in France 14:02 Pro-life issues in France 17:57 Is Europe a "Christian" culture? 24:55 Pope meets abuse victims 34:08 Liturgy and division Links: Pope Leo’s trip to France won’t be a victory lap—and that’s a good thing. Vatican Notebook: Pope Leo navigates tensions between secularism and Catholic history on France visit ‘More than a monument’: Pope Leo’s speech at the newly renovated Notre-Dame Pope Leo draws 800,000 to Mass in the heart of Paris Vatican Notebook: Pope Leo addresses French conversion boom, warns against complacency Pope speaks out against French assisted-dying and abortion laws in Lourdes visit Mother: Pope Leo’s blessing of special-needs daughter recognizes ‘segment of humanity often set aside’ Pope Leo meets with survivors of abuse in Lourdes Pope Leo: Europe must return to path of dialogue, not military buildup Pope Leo is not ‘in panic mode’ about an A.I. catastrophe, but ‘we can’t just sit back’ and do nothing You can sign up for Colleen's 'Vatican Notebook' newsletter here: https://www.americamagazine.org/sign-up-for-vatican-notebook-email-newsletter Follow Colleen on Instagram: @colleendulle Support the show by becoming a subscriber to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 25

What to expect from Pope Leo’s trip to France

In this week’s episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and Colleen preview Pope Leo XIV’s visit to France, set for Sept. 25-28. The two unpack Pope Leo’s itinerary for the trip, give context for the political situation in the country and discuss what messages the pope may send to both secular and ecclesial authorities in a country and church that are being reshaped by the arrival of newcomers. Sign up for our new newsletter, Vatican Notebook! Chapters: 00:00 News: Pope Leo to visit Latin America2:12 Background on Pope Leo's trip to France11:07 The EU, war, and multilateralism15:19 The pope's diplomatic balancing act18:20 A religious spring in France?24:00 Scandals, wounds and reconciliation29:20 Who the pope is meeting Links: Pope Leo XIV will meet with the French abuse survivors as critics demand action As Pope Leo prepares to visit France, can its ‘Catholic moment’ become a lasting revival? 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
Sep 18

‘Baby Bishops School’: How the Vatican trains new bishops

In this week’s episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and Colleen discuss the “birthday gifts” Pope Leo XIV gave to the Vatican on his 71st birthday: an expansion of the Vatican Library and archives and the repeal of Covid-era salary cuts. The hosts explain Vatican salaries and what has changed financially for the Holy See since the pandemic. In the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry give a primer on “Baby Bishops’ School,” the annual training for newly-ordained bishops that recently concluded in Rome. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:42 Pope Leo repeals Covid-era salary cuts 4:52 How Vatican employees are compensated 7:52 The Vatican’s financial recovery since 2024 10:39 Vatican finances under Pope Leo 15:06 Vatican Library and archive expansion 18:33 Baby Bishops’ School explained 21:03 Bishops get international perspective 24:49 Pope Leo’s address to new bishops 29:43 The Pope Leo ‘style’ of being bishop 33:40 What could change for bishops under Leo 35:30 Outro and credits Links:Pope Leo celebrates his 71st birthday—by giving gifts to the Vatican Is Pope Leo ‘Americanizing’ Vatican fundraising? What Pope Leo has said about an ‘A.I. pause’ Pope Leo calls for ‘culture of negotiation’ at meeting of North and South American leaders Synodality, multiculturalism and working with Pope Leo: Archbishop Costelloe on the Australian Catholic Church Pope Leo warns technology cannot replace the value of human relationships Cardinal Czerny awarded inaugural Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal Pope Leo commemorates 9/11, praying for all who ‘bear wounds of that tragic day’ 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
Sep 11

What’s on Pope Leo’s desk this fall

In this week’s episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and Colleen take the opportunity of Pope Leo’s 71st birthday on Monday, Sept. 14, to look back at what he has accomplished thus far in his papacy and what major items remain on his desk for the fall, including trips to France and Latin America, a series of high-profile appointments and the ongoing trials of Marko Rupnik and Angelo Becciu. The hosts also announce the launch of the newest America newsletter, Vatican Notebook! Subscribe here. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 3:21 Pope Leo celebrates his 71st birthday 5:50 A review of Pope Leo's first year 10:01 Pope Leo's effect on geopolitics 13:53 Pope Leo assembles a diverse new team 21:50 Leo's focus on peace, poverty and A.I. 28:10 Pope Leo is in no rush 29:10 The pope's preferences for bishops 35:11 Plans for filling bishop vacancies 37:03 Marko Rupnik trial updates 40:53 A new attitude on Vatican finances 44:30 Outro Links: How do popes celebrate their birthdays? Pizza, parties and puppies (from 2025) Is Pope Leo ‘Americanizing’ Vatican fundraising? Pope Leo: Catholics cannot be ‘unengaged spectators’ amid ‘injustice, discrimination and violence’ Pope Leo’s visit to France likely to attract a million people Peruvian city to unveil world’s tallest statue of Pope Leo for trip to South America A long-awaited reckoning: A timeline of the Father Marko Rupnik case Subscribe to Vatican Notebook 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
Jul 3

Pope Leo's message for the United States' 250th anniversary

Pope Leo today received the National Constitution Center’s liberty medal and gave an acceptance speech via livestream from the Vatican. Colleen Dulle recaps his message. Links from the show: Read: Pope Leo’s message to the United States on its 250th anniversary Subscribe to America Magazine (use promo code VATICAN for $10 off an annual digital subscription) Fill out our listener survey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 3

Vatican excommunicates SSPX bishops, priests and others

Today, July 2, in response to the SSPX’s illicit ordinations of bishops, the Vatican announced that not only were the bishops involved in the ordination automatically excommunicated and in schism, but that any clergy of SSPX or lay members who “adhere” to the schism are also to be considered excommunicated. Links from the show: The Vatican and SSPX controversy, explained Vatican declares excommunicated SSPX bishops, warns priests and lay faithful of schism Analysis: SSPX excommunications show what Pope Leo means by church ‘unity’ Subscribe to America Magazine Fill out our listener survey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 26

‘I doubt he will be diplomatic’: What Leo may say to the U.S. July 3

On this season finale of “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen and Gerry discuss the hectic weeks before Pope Leo’s summer vacation. First they recap the pope’s trip to Pavia to visit the remains of St. Augustine and the home of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, his speech to the World Food Program and the Vatican’s denial of the German bishops’ request to allow lay people to preach homilies. They also look ahead to this week’s consistory of cardinals, the illicit ordinations planned by SSPX, the pope’s address to Americans on July 3 and his trip to Lampedusa July 4, along with how Leo plans to spend his summer vacation. In this episode, Gerry also breaks the news of how many days Pope Leo will spend in Argentina, Peru and Uruguay this fall. 0:00 Intro 1:17 Pope Leo’s visit to Pavia and Cabrini’s hometown 4:52 Breaking News - Pope Leo’s agenda for Latin America 5:44 Pope Leo’s visit to the World Food Program 10:50 Vatican says no to lay homilies during Mass 11:35 Meeting of continental synod leaders at Vatican 16:38 Consistory of cardinals on war, AI and the synod 23:49 Cardinals could discuss SSPX at consistory 28:44 Pope Leo’s address to Americans July 3 34:06 Pope Leo’s July 4 visit to Lampedusa 34:53 What we know about Pope Leo’s summer plans 39:22 Please fill out our listener survey! Links: Pope Leo XIV exalts first American saint Cabrini as a model for Christians for her care of migrants Pope Leo: War is ‘fed more easily’ than the hungry Vatican to German bishops: No lay people preaching homilies at Mass SSPX stands firm against Vatican II in open letter to Pope Leo Extraordinary consistory signals Pope Leo’s push to work with cardinals on global challenges Fill out our Listener Survey! 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

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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

Colleen Dulle

Host
Gerard O'Connell

Host
Sam Sawyer

Guest
Gerry O’Connell

Guest
Joseph Marino

Guest

4.7

out of 5

417 Ratings

Leo

May 9

Ginagina Smith

Great podcast on Pope Leo: thanks
Women deacons

12/11/2025

kenhagen

Basically they keep asking the question until they get the answer they want.
Excellent insight and engaging

11/13/2025

Cocogiggl35

This podcast is really educating me - I only ever heard the headlines about the Vatican and read articles from major news sources. This is giving a much needed perspective - a view from inside- hence the title... They aren't trying to present all viewpoints but are thoughtfully reflecting on the perspectives from Gerry’s experiences and Colleen’s wise questions. Love it and look forward to every episode. Thanks for the great work! I wish for more!
Elise Allen interview

10/24/2025

Paul and Suzi D.

Excellent interview! My wife and I were very impressed with this segment. The questions asked and the responses of the author brought fresh insight to the personality of our new pope. What a blessings it is to have a podcast like this. Bravo and keep up the good work Colleen and Gerry!!!

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.