
Inside The Vatican
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.
Latest episodes

May 12, 2025 • 33min
What Pope Leo’s first days tell us about his priorities
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the first days of Leo XIV’s historic papacy.
Today, Pope Leo met with members of the Vatican press corps and the thousands of other media in Rome covering his election, telling them to be peacemakers and calling for the release of all imprisoned journalists.
On our final episode recorded in Rome, the team discusses:
How Pope Leo related to the media, and the importance of his message of peace and truth in a world threatened by war and the rise of A.I.
Pope Leo’s meeting with the College of Cardinals on Saturday, in which he signaled that he would continue the work started by Pope Francis
Pope Leo’s “honeymoon” period—and the opposition he will inevitably face
This episode features:
Sebastian Gomes, America’s executive editor of audio and video
Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent
Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of imprisoned journalists, tells media to be peacemakers
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s address to the media
Pope Leo XIV’s message to the cardinals: Vatican II and Pope Francis are here to stay
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first formal address to the College of Cardinals
Interview: Chicago’s Cardinal Cupich on why the cardinals chose Pope Leo XIV
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May 11, 2025 • 23min
Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian friar. Here's what that means
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, the team discusses the Augustinian (and American) roots of Pope Leo XIV.
They discuss:
Pope Leo XIV is an alum of Villanova University. What’s the atmosphere is like on campus right now?
The Augustinian roots of Pope Leo: the intellectual, spiritual and social principles that will lead his ministry
How poverty, chastity and obedience are a path to freedom and joy
Subscribe to America to get our extensive coverage of the historic election of Pope Leo XIV at: https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV’s first Sunday blessing: Appeals for peace, vocations and happy Mother’s Day.
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first formal address to the College of Cardinals
Pope Leo XIV’s message to the cardinals: Vatican II and Pope Francis are here to stay
Pope Leo XIV: What to expect in the coming days
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first homily
Who was Pope Leo XIII?
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May 9, 2025 • 25min
What Pope Leo XIV’s speedy election means for the Catholic Church
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In this episode, veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O'Connell speaks to Colleen Dulle and Sam Sawyer, SJ about the unexpectedly quick election of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on the fourth ballot in the conclave.
They discuss:
What the speedy election tell us about the conclave?
Why a pope from the U.S. was thought to be "impossible", and why it happened anyway.
Analyzing Leo XIV's first address to the world and homily to the cardinals.
Who was Leo XIII? Who is Leo XIV in light of his legacy?
Leo XIV was once a poor missionary in Peru and a capable administrator on a global stage
Subscribe to America to get our extensive coverage of the historic election of Pope Leo XIV at: https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe
Links from the show:
Pope Leo XIV: What to expect in the coming days
Full text: Pope Leo XIV’s first homily
Who was Pope Leo XIII?
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May 8, 2025 • 21min
Habemus papam! The first American pope is elected
Welcome to the America magazine conclave podcast. We are thrilled to join the church in welcoming Pope Leo XIV!
Our team was just in St. Peter’s Square for the historic election, and we’re here with first reactions and some important details about the life and ministry of the missionary Augustinian friar turned pope: the now former-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost.
Links from the show:
Robert Francis Prevost elected first American pope
Peru rejoices for their former bishop: Pope Leo XIV
Prepare to be surprised by the next pope
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
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May 8, 2025 • 24min
There's only one thing left for Catholics to do: pray.
Do we really trust the Holy Spirit to guide the election of a pope? What does that trust feel like? Are we hopeful or fearful for what is to come? Why does it feel so hard to pray in Rome sometimes?
The cardinals have asked for our prayers repeatedly in the run-up to the conclave. While they are sequestered away on the second day of conclave, Sebastian Gomes, Ashley McKinless, Zac Davis and J.D. Long García talk about what their prayer has been like while covering the lead-up to the conclave.
Read more:
Conclave watch: Which cardinals are likely contenders?
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 43min
Black smoke on first vote. But what happens after a pope is elected?
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:
The protocols being followed by the cardinals in conclave
The “habemus papam” moment, what the pope wears and other telling symbolic gestures
What happens in the days immediately following the election of a pope?
This episode features:
Sam Sawyer, S.J., America’s editor in chief
Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast
David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center for Religion and Culture
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
Links from the show:
Cardinal Re’s pre-conclave homily: ‘Love is the only force capable of changing the world.’
Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope
What time will we see black or white smoke? Past conclaves give clues.
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May 6, 2025 • 33min
Where the cardinals stand one day before the conclave
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses the frontrunners entering the conclave, and explains how the voting could quickly confirm papabile lists or pivot to an unexpected candidate.
Featuring:
Gerard O’Connell, America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History
Colleen Dulle, co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast
Sam Sawyer, S.J., editor in chief of America
Read more at: https://www.americamagazine.org
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May 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
What happens inside a conclave? Everything you need to know.
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:
Final preparations for the conclave, including additional meetings for the cardinals
President Trump’s A.I. pope image
Covering the conclave for secular media, with NPR’s Scott Detrow
The quirky procedures and protocols of the conclave, with Religion News Service’s Thomas Reese, S.J.
This episode features:
Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
Zac Davis, director of digital strategy and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
Scott Detrow, weekend host of “All Things Considered,” and a co-host of the “Consider This” podcast.
Thomas Reese, S.J., senior analyst at Religion News Service
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
Links from the show:
Conclave: Everything you need to know about electing a new pope
‘God is not mocked’: US Catholic leaders criticize Trump’s AI pope meme
The conclave is a referendum on synodality
Interview: Cardinal Müller on if Pope Francis was a heretic and what he wants in the next pope
The pope is not the point
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May 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
Will the next pope embrace synodality–or reject it?
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:
The security measures being taken at Casa Santa Marta, where the cardinal electors will stay during the conclave, including lock inspections and sealed windows
The history and recent rise of betting on who will be the next pope, as well as Fantasy Football-style apps for building your conclave team
The influence of the Synod on Synodality for the conclave—and what the result of the conclave might mean for the future of synodality
This episode features:
Sebastian Gomes, America’s executive editor of audio and video
Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast
Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
Anna Rowlands, a professor of theology at Durham University
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
Links from the show:
The conclave is a referendum on synodality
Over $10 million in bets placed on who will be the next pope
Vatican guesthouse secured and sealed ahead of secret papal election
Interview: Cardinal Müller on if Pope Francis was a heretic and what he wants in the next pope
Hong Kong’s Jesuit Cardinal Chow on the conclave, the next pope and Francis’ legacy
How will the next pope strengthen safeguards against sex abuse?
Pope Francis and the future of Catholic moral theology
Is it time for the second Latin American pope?
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May 2, 2025 • 43min
At the conclave, politics and prayer come together. Is that a problem?
Welcome to America magazine’s Conclave Podcast. Our editors are on the ground in Rome covering the conclave to elect the next pope.
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses:
The latest conclave news, including the installation of the chimney of the roof of the Sistine Chapel and how many cardinals have arrived in Rome
The cardinals have asked Catholics to pray for them and the conclave. What exactly should we be praying for? And should we be scandalized by the intermingling of politics and spirituality?
This episode features:
James Martin, S.J., America’s editor at large and founder of Outreach
Colleen Dulle, co-host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast
Zac Davis, director of digital strategy and co-host of America’s “Jesuitical” podcast
J.D. Long García, senior editor at America
Sign up for America’s subscriber-exclusive “Conclave Diary” daily newsletter and get all of our extensive coverage at: AmericaMagazine.org/Subscribe
Links from the show:
Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the conclave
With five days before the conclave, all but four cardinal electors are in Rome
The prayer Rome needs right now: Come, Holy Spirit.
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