Inside The Vatican

Pope Francis is back in the hospital for surgery on a hernia that likely formed on the scar from his 2021 colon operation.Also in this episode: A nude man protests in St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi visits Ukraine to begin Pope Francis’ peace mission, and Benedict XVI’s secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, is given a deadline to move out of the Vatican.Find the full show page and links for further reading here.Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication issued a new document called “Towards Full Presence: A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media.” The document lays out how Catholics should be thinking about their social media engagement—and like the pope’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti, it takes as its model the story of the Good Samaritan, urging people to reach out and listen to those who are different from them, to build community with those people, and to step beyond social media into working creatively for a positive change in the physical world.This week on “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and host Colleen Dulle analyze the document’s strengths and weaknesses. On the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry revisit the story of Sister Lucía Caram, the Argentine nun who drove 2,000 miles each way to bring refugees from Ukraine to Spain, where she lives. In the last 14 months, Sister Lucía has visited Ukraine 18 times, delivered 92 ambulances and helped resettle some 4,000 refugees. Gerry caught up with Sister Lucía in Rome last week; he gives an update on what she has done and seen.Links from the showDicastery for Communication issues document about social media behavior Full Document: A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media Vatican tells the bishops of Catholic Twitter: be reflective, not reactive When bishops attack: How Pope Francis handles his critics Pope Francis meets with Argentine nun about field hospitals in Ukraine What an Argentine nun has seen on the frontlines of Ukraine after 18 trips Pope Francis is fighting for peace in Ukraine. Here’s how NATO and the US can help his cause. Pope Francis’ secret Ukraine-Russia peace mission, explained The Convent de Santa Clara Foundation Follow Sister Lucía Caram on: Twitter (@sorluciacaram) Instagram (@sorluciacaram)  Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Saturday, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the head of the Italian bishops conference and a consummate diplomat to visit Moscow, to lead a mission “to help ease tensions in the conflict in Ukraine.”This week on “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell explains why Cardinal Zuppi was chosen for this job despite not being a Vatican diplomat.In the second half of the show, Gerry and host Colleen Dulle discuss the pope’s planned trip to World Youth Day in Lisbon, August 2 through 6. The pope plans to spend almost a full week in the country currently grappling with a devastating clerical sexual abuse scandal.While in Portugal, Pope Francis also plans to visit Fátima, the site of a recognized Marian apparition. Gerry and Colleen explain how the “secrets of Fátima” revealed there relate to the war between Russia and Ukraine.Links from the showCardinal Matteo Zuppi to lead peace mission Update: Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to conduct Ukraine peace mission ​​Pope Francis’ secret Ukraine-Russia peace mission, explained Pope Francis plans to visit Fatima for World Youth Day Vatican confirms Pope Francis trip to Lisbon and Fatima for World Youth Day What does Our Lady of Fátima have to do with Russia and Ukraine? Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Volodymr Zelensky of Ukraine visited the Vatican on Saturday for a private meeting with Pope Francis. The Ukrainian President spent 40 minutes with the pope. Holding his hand to his heart, and speaking in French, Mr. Zelensky told the pope it was a “great honor” to meet him. The pope has repeatedly expressed his desire to visit the war torn Ukraine but only with the proviso that he can also visit Russia. Dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite the pope’s many attempts, has proved impossible.On “Inside the Vatican” this week, we decode what this latest meeting between the pope and the Ukrainian president might mean for the Vatican’s mediation efforts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. “Francis has made very clear that he's open to conversing with both Zelensky and Putin,” Gerry says. “In fact, Francis didn't have to send anybody to talk with Zelensky because there is a highway of communication all the time going on; whereas on the highway to Moscow, there is very little traffic.” Links from the showPope Francis meets with Ukranian president Volodymyr Zelensky Pope Francis meets with President Zelensky in the Vatican for first time since the war in Ukraine began Reports: Zelensky could visit Pope Francis in first papal meeting since beginning of war Pope Francis’ secret Ukraine-Russia peace mission, explained New leadership in Caritas InternationalisInterview: New Vatican charity leaders look to the future after workplace crisisPlease support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, the Pontifical Council for the Protection of Minors had its first meeting since the shocking resignation of abuse expert Hans Zollner, S.J. His resignation over issues “that need to be urgently addressed” led to a public disagreement between him and the commission’s president, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, O.F.M.[Listen and subscribe to “Inside the Vatican” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.]In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and host Colleen Dulle explain the big questions the abuse commission faces and what is next for this advisory body, following last week’s meeting.In the second half of the show, Gerry reports on the secret “mission” Pope Francis says he has undertaken to end the war in Ukraine. The pope was sparse on details, but Gerry’s sources have offered him greater insight into the pope’s plan and the people he has engaged to reach Russia and Ukraine.Links from the showPontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors meets without Hans Zollner, S.J. Pope Francis to conflict-ridden sex abuse commission: This is ‘the moment of reparation.’ Pope Francis tells bishops of Latin America, where new sex abuse protections aren’t in place, to make it a priority Jesuit abuse expert Hans Zollner explains decision to resign from Vatican safeguarding commission Jesuit sex abuse expert Hans Zollner resigns from papal commission over ‘urgent concerns’ Jesuit sexual abuse expert discusses the Marko Rupnik case, the Society of Jesus and the state of the abuse crisis Jesuit sex abuse expert appointed to Vatican office for child protection Pope Francis reveals plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine Pope Francis’ secret peace mission, explained Kremlin denies working with Vatican on Ukraine peace talks Pope Francis: ‘When it’s public I’ll talk about it’—hints at secret talks to end Ukraine-Russia war In Hungary, Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian refugees and Russian church official Asked if Putin is committing genocide in Ukraine, Pope Francis doesn’t say no Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colleen is back!This week on Inside the Vatican, hosts Colleen Dulle (with baby William) and Ricardo da Silva join veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell to discuss Pope Francis’ recent visit to Hungary.The pope used his public messages during the visit to highlight the plight of migrants and refugees, saying “Jesus is an open door.” Pope Francis has been at odds with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over the prime minister’s restrictions on migration. Hungary has made exceptions to welcome Christian refugees in particular; the pope, in his homily at Mass, lamented “"the doors we close toward those who are foreign or unlike us.”Colleen and Gerry also discuss the pope’s words on Ukraine, which borders Hungary, during the apostolic visit. After Pope Francis hinted at a secret peace “mission” to Russia and Ukraine, both the Kremlin and Ukrainian officials denied knowing anything about such a mission. The Vatican has made headway in its humanitarian efforts during the war, but can it get both parties to the table for peace negotiations?Links from the showPope Francis returns from weekend papal visit to Hungary Amid Hungary’s ‘no migrants’ policy, Pope Francis urges open doors and welcome Pope Francis praises Hungary’s protection of traditional values—and pushes the country to welcome migrants Pope Francis reflects on his visit to Hungary and building bridges of peace Pope Francis will travel to Hungary at the end of April Pope Francis meets Hungary’s Victor Orban—with Ukraine war as the backdrop Pope Francis in Budapest calls on the Hungarian Catholic Church and its pastors ‘to be builders of bridges and promoters of dialogue’ What to expect from Pope Francis’ trip to Hungary and Slovakia American conservatives have fallen in love with Hungary. Pope Francis is less impressed. Lesson from Hungary: Anti-Catholicism is not a good response to anti-L.G.B.T.Q. laws Pope Francis’ secret peace mission Pope Francis: ‘When it’s public I’ll talk about it’—hints at secret talks to end Ukraine-Russia war In Hungary, Pope Francis meets with Ukrainian refugees and Russian church official At the Vatican, Ukrainian prime minister asks Pope Francis for help returning children kidnapped by Russia Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis announced on Monday, April 24, that all the participants at the first assembly of Synod on Synodality will have a vote when they meet at the Vatican this October. This is the first time women will have a vote at such a major church event. “More than 20 percent of the participants will be non-bishops,” says Gerry. “This can be priests, it can be consecrated women and men, it can be lay women and men.” The announcement of the change to the synod’s voting pattern happened just days before Pope Francis is set to visit Hungary on an official state visit. On arrival, he will honor his diplomatic commitments, meeting with government officials and various dignitaries, among them XX the country’s president. Significantly, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who aside from “being the longest-serving prime minister in Europe,” Gerry says, is also “a close ally of Vladimir Putin in Russia.”  “We are seeing the Pope try every which way to get the message across to Vladimir Putin,” says Ricardo, “about the importance of coming to the table and dialoguing on the issues in the war between Ukraine and Russia.”While in Hungary the pope will also take the opportunity to exercise his role as pastor to the worldwide Catholic Church. He will meet with young people, refugees and some of the other most impoverished people in the land, but he also plans to meet with the Jesuits who minister in this landlocked central European country.In the second half of this week’s show, Ricardo and Gerry discuss a new controversy that was sparked after remarks made in a speech by Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life led some to suggest that the church has drastically changed its position on euthanasia and medically-assisted suicide. But, it appears that Archbishop Paglia’s “comments were misconstrued,” Ricardo says. “He is clearly feeding into this highly charged debate in Italian parliament... He is worried that any implications or any changes to the law will have implications on the church's defense of life … its moral teaching on the sanctity of life, dignity, and care for the human person.”Finally, Gerry talks about Pope Francis’ revelation in an interview for La Nacion, the leading Argentine newspaper, that he has asked Archbishop Georg Gänswein to leave his residence at the Vatican, and either find alternative lodgings in Italy or return to his native Germany. “Some might read this eviction as a kind of retribution from Pope Francis for the polemical things written in his book,” Ricardo says, a claim that Gerry refutes. “Benedict died in the end of December, we are now almost at the beginning of May,” Gerry says. “Six months to change houses? Not exactly an offense to anybody.”Links from the showPope Francis announces all synod participants will vote at the upcoming synodFor first time in history, Pope Francis gives women right to vote at the synodPope Francis prepares for weekend papal visit to Hungary Pope Francis will travel to Hungary at the end of April Pope Francis meets Hungary’s Victor Orban—with Ukraine war as the backdrop Pope Francis in Budapest calls on the Hungarian Catholic Church and its pastors ‘to be builders of bridges and promoters of dialogue’ What to expect from Pope Francis’ trip to Hungary and Slovakia American conservatives have fallen in love with Hungary. Pope Francis is less impressed. Lesson from Hungary: Anti-Catholicism is not a good response to anti-L.G.B.T.Q. laws Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia comments on medically-assisted suicideHead of the the Pontifical Academy for Life affirms his opposition to euthanasiaArchbishop Georg Gänswein is asked to leave the Vatican Pope Benedict XVI’s secretary, advocate and confidant: What you need to know about Georg Gänswein Archbishop Gänswein says he was “pained” by Francis’ decision to reassign him Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis publicly denounced allegations made against Pope John Paul II on Italian television last week by Pietro Orlandi, the brother of Emanuela Orlandi. Last year, Ms. Orlandi’s mysterious disappearance from the Vatican almost 40 years ago, when she was just 15-years-old, inspired “Vatican Girl,” a documentary series on Netflix.  Mr. Orlandi, speaking on an Italian TV program, said that he had learned from a source that “John Paul II sometimes went out at night with two Polish monsignors, and he clearly did not go out to bless houses.” His comments have been understood to imply that the late pope was out sexually grooming young women at night. They were all the more surprising because they were made immediately after a lengthy meeting earlier that day between Mr. Orlandi, his lawyer and Alessandro Diddi—the Vatican’s chief prosecutor—to discuss the case.When pressed after his interview to share the details of the comments implicating the saint-pope, Mr. Orlandi and his lawyer invoked their legal privilege no to disclose their source. Mr. Orlandi, through his lawyer, said that his comments “never accused John Paul II of these attempts at going out after girls,” Gerry reports. “This frustrated the prosecutor,” Gerry says, and “the prosecutor says, this is a break in the investigation, stopping the investigation,” and jeopardizes the ongoing process.In the second half of the show, Gerry and Ricardo share what happened at a press conference in Rome on Monday, April 17, where Hans Zollner, S.J., explained in greater detail why he resigned suddenly last month from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Father Zollner is a German, Jesuit priest and the most recognizable authority on dealing with the scourge of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.Father Zollner has said his resignation was necessary because of shortcomings on “responsibility, compliance, accountability and transparency,” within the commission. Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media.Links from the showPope Francis defends John Paul II Pope Francis defends John Paul II in ‘Vatican Girl’ case Pope Francis wants the truth out on decades-old cold case of the missing ‘Vatican girl’ in safeguarding commission ‘Vatican Girl’: Netflix’s true-crime documentary on the Holy See’s 40-year-old missing person mystery Vatican Intrigue: A Jesuit’s secret identity and a new Netflix true crime series Hans Zollner, S.J., resignsJesuit abuse expert Hans Zollner explains decision to resign from Vatican safeguarding commission Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China has breached its long-fought-for agreement with the Vatican on the appointment of bishops. On April 4, Bishop Shen Bin was transferred from the Diocese of Haimen, where he had been an auxiliary bishop, and installed as the bishop of Shanghai, the largest Roman Catholic diocese in mainland China. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Vatican Press Office, confirmed the installation in a statement on April 6. The Holy See had been informed of the appointment only “a few days prior,” Mr. Bruni said, and was only alerted to the bishop’s installation through reporting in the mainstream media. It appears the appointment is in direct violation of the highly controversial bilateral agreement that the Vatican reached with China in 2018, and renewed last October. “It's the pope's prerogative to nominate the bishop to a diocese,” says Gerry. “Many people are now—even those who are quite in support of the agreement—are raising questions.”In the second half of the show, Gerry and Ricardo review “The Pope: Answers,” a new documentary film on Hulu. In the documentary, Pope Francis has a conversation with 10 young people from Spain, Senegal, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and the United States, aged between 20 and 25 years old. Among them are an atheist; a porn content creator; a nonbinary person; a survivor of sexual abuse; and a former nun from Peru, who is lesbian. They talk candidly about sexual abuse, the pope’s salary, loss of faith and dating apps like Tinder. “It’s such an intimate and personal film,” says Ricardo. “It really was a good example of what it is to live out synodality, which is what Pope Francis is calling us to do, really listen to each other.”Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media.Links from the showNew bishop installed in ShanghaiChina installs new bishop in Shanghai, in apparent violation of Vatican-China dealHoly Week Pope Francis’ Easter Message: The international community must strive to end the war in Ukraine Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil homily 2023: The women at Easter bring the news that will change life and history forever Pope Francis to miss Way of the Cross event in cold Rome Pope Francis washes the feet of young prisoners in Holy Thursday rite, telling them: ‘Any of us’ can fall into sin. “The Pope: Answers”Watch “The Pope: Answers” on HuluTwenty-five years of the Good Friday AgreementPope Francis prays for lasting peace in Northern Ireland on 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When most people are admitted to the hospital, they stay in bed and recover. Unless, you are Pope Francis! Not even two days after he started treatment for a respiratory infection, the pope took to visiting the sick at Gemelli General Hospital in Rome, last Friday. In the pediatric oncology wards, he played and prayed with sick children. He had a pizza party with his medical team and the hospital’s care staff, and baptized a baby. And even on his way home, he stopped to console grieving parents whose child had died the night before.“Inside the Vatican” hosts, Ricardo da Silva, S.J. and Gerard O’Connell discuss how the pope bounced back from bronchitis, silencing the ever-growing stirrings of his resignation in time to preside at the Mass that ushers in the holiest week of the Christian calendar.In the second half of the show, Gerry and Ricardo reflect on the pope’s homily for Palm Sunday and preview the Vatican’s plans for the Easter Triduum. Please support this podcast by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media.Links from the showPope Francis in hospital After hospital pizza party and baptizing a baby, Pope Francis expected to return to Vatican Saturday Pope Francis’ hospitalization actually gave me hope for the Catholic Church Holy Week at the Vatican Pope Francis, out of hospital, presides at Palm Sunday celebration Read: Pope Francis’ homily for Palm Sunday 2023. ‘The abandoned’ are the ‘Christs of our day.’ Cardinal Farrell: Pope Francis’ critics are wrong. He’s no autocrat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices