The Catholic Herald Podcast: Merely Catholic with Gavin Ashenden 105: Inside the Vatican, with Diane Montagna
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Sep 2, 2025 Diane Montagna, a prominent Vaticanologist with contributions to several leading Catholic publications, shares her insights from working with three popes. She discusses the challenges facing Pope Francis, the intricacies of Church governance, and her groundbreaking research challenging narratives around Traditionis custodes. Montagna also highlights the delicate balance between transparency and secrecy in Vatican communications, alongside personal stories of priests navigating new regulations and expectations regarding the traditional mass.
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From Translator To Vatican Correspondent
- Diane Montagna recounted her path from studying Italian and translating Pope Benedict XVI's audiences to working at L'Osservatore Romano and becoming a Vatican journalist.
- She described formative graduate studies at the International Theological Institute in Gomming, Austria, and rich liturgical community life there.
A Pope Seeking The Office Over Faction
- Diane sees Pope Leo as neither a simple conservative nor progressive and emphasizes his evident desire to conform to the Petrine office.
- She finds his calm, reserved temperament and Christ-centered early gestures encouraging for cautious optimism.
What Traditions Custodes Claimed
- Diane explains Traditions Custodes restricted the Vetus Ordo and cited a CDF survey as justification.
- She details Benedict XVI's earlier liberalization allowing priests to celebrate the old rite without prior permission.