Inside The Vatican

Last week, an Italian newspaper reported that Pope Francis had fired five employees who were under investigation for their involvement in the $200 million purchase of minority stake in a luxury apartment development in London’s upscale Chelsea neighborhood. After the Vatican’s Secretariat of State lost money on the investment, the Vatican’s middleman, Italian businessman Raffaele Mincione, advised the Vatican to buy the remainder of the property, which he owned. The Vatican’s judicial system is now investigating staffers who were involved in the deal for possible financial improprieties. Last year, Vatican police raided several offices in the Secretariat of State and the Vatican’s financial watchdog office and suspended the staff members. America’s Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell reported this week that the situation of the five employees was more complex than the premature, unjust firings the Italian newspaper had made them out to be.  This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and producer Colleen Dulle explain the background of the London deal, what happened to the five employees, and what questions still remain.   Links from the show: Has Pope Francis dismissed five Vatican employees linked to a property deal in London? Vatican employees suspended as finance investigation continues Vatican police raid Secretariat of State and finance watchdog offices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Vatican correspondent Gerard O'Connell gives an on-the-ground update from “phase two” of Italy’s coronavirus lockdown. Gerry and producer Colleen Dulle also discuss the interreligious day of prayer between Muslims and Christians for an end to coronavirus, along with Pope Francis’ call for nations and corporations to share any eventual Covid-19 vaccine. That call was the latest in a string of requests from the Vatican for greater multilateralism, which former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta recently discussed in an interview with Gerry. Next up, a newly-published interview with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI grabbed headlines this weekend that focused on the former pope’s comments linking abortion and gay marriage to the “Antichrist.” That interview was part of a new 1,000-page biography of the pope emeritus by Peter Seewald, released in German on Monday and slated to be published in English in November. Colleen and Gerry take a look at the interview beyond the media spin: The two discuss Pope Benedict XVI’s historical connections to some of the topics he addressed, and Gerry highlights what’s new in the excerpts he has seen thus far, including the emeritus pope’s revelation that he has written a “testament” to be published after his death.   Links from the show: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI sees church threatened by pseudo-humanism Pope Francis joins Muslim leaders in calling for world day of prayer to end the coronavirus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no secret that Pope Francis has faced opposition during his pontificate: some of it, the healthy disagreement he’s called for, some more serious—what The Tablet Vatican reporter Christopher Lamb calls well-financed, well-publicized “guerilla attacks” on the pope. Chris outlines more than one hundred instances of such highly-publicized attacks on Francis in his new book The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church. He joins “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle to discuss the criticism the pope has received from across the church-political spectrum, and what distinguishes healthy disagreement from the attacks that Pope Francis called backstabbing. The two also put the attacks on Pope Francis in context: Is it fair to say that attacks on Francis’ papacy are unprecedented when, for example, there were three rival popes during the Western Schism? What role has money played in these attacks, and what is their end goal? Colleen and Chris unpack the connections between the pope’s wealthy critics and the media outlets that have magnified their voices. They discuss, too, the places the pope has fallen short, and why Chris believes that, despite his mistakes, the pope is still “a man of integrity.”   Link from the show: The Outsider: Pope Francis and His Battle to Reform the Church Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that Italy will transition into “phase 2” of its coronavirus lockdown, re-opening the manufacturing and construction industries on May 4, followed by libraries, museums, and some stores May 18. Not included in the re-openings were churches, causing outcry from the Italian bishops, who demanded a plan to resume public Masses. On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” America’s Rome correspondent Gerard O’Connell explains what negotiations are happening between the bishops and the Italian government. At his daily Mass on Tuesday, April 28, Pope Francis seemed to respond to the situation, praying, “In this time, during which we are beginning to have the possibility to come out of quarantine, let us pray that the Lord will give his people the grace of prudence and obedience to the instructions so the pandemic will not return.” The pope has had his eye on the coronavirus response outside Italy as well, speaking with French president Emmanuel Macron two days before a major meeting of European Union leaders to discuss the E.U.’s response to the pandemic. On the show, Colleen and Gerry discuss Francis’ call with Macron along with his other priorities for the multilateral meeting, and the hosts give an update on what decisions came out of the meeting. Pope Francis has also called the world’s Catholics to pray the rosary in the month of May for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Gerry and Colleen take a look at the two new prayers the pope penned to accompany the Rosary and discuss Pope Francis’ spiritual leadership throughout the crisis.   Links from the show: Italian bishops demand plan for resuming public Masses Pope Francis speaks with French President Macron about coronavirus, international debt relief Read: Pope Francis’ rosary prayers in the midst of coronavirus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent weeks, the Vatican has made it clear that it sees the coronavirus pandemic as a pressing call for the transformation of society. This past week, Pope Francis put together a task force with specific mandates for coordinating humanitarian aid, international relations, and the protection of the environment, all at the service of a broader vision of human solidarity in a time of pandemic. That vision was laid out on March 30 in a note entitled “Global Pandemic and Universal Brotherhood,” issued by the Pontifical Academy for Life, which focuses on moral theology and bioethics. In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” the president of that academy, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, speaks to producer Colleen Dulle about that document and some of the specifics of the Vatican’s vision for a new human solidarity arising from this pandemic. In the interview, Archbishop Paglia describes the theological and health considerations that have factored into the decisions to cancel public Masses while keeping churches open: “Precisely because of the principle of incarnation, which is at the heart of our faith, we must take seriously the concrete concerns to which our body is subject,” the archbishop said. He also speaks in depth about the need that Vatican leadership has expressed for a globally coordinated health care network which would ensure care for the most vulnerable people. Speaking about how decisions about rationing care when resources are scarce, Archbishop Paglia said, “the choice is not about the dignity of the person or the value of his or her life, which is equal and priceless for all, but on the treatment: priority must be given to those who—when needs are equal— are expected to benefit the most.” Links from the show: Read “Global Pandemic and Universal Brotherhood” Find America Magazine’s full coronavirus coverage here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis has focused his messages to the world this week on the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of resources in order to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and build a more equitable society. On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” America’s Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and producer Colleen Dulle discuss the vision Pope Francis laid out in his new “plan for rising up again.” Then, the hosts talk about the task force the pope has assembled to actualize this vision. He appointed to its steering committee an Argentinian priest who is an expert in economics and has experience working with the Vatican on environmental issues and with church humanitarian organizations in areas affected by epidemics. Gerry explains Father Augusto Zampini’s connections to the pope and the work he will be doing in this key decision-making role. One aspect of the task force’s work will be finding new ways for the Vatican to raise money to cover its operating expenses and provide aid to other nations. On the show, Gerry breaks down where the Vatican’s money comes from and how those sources are quickly drying up. The hosts also cover a slew of meeting and conference cancellations at the Vatican. Links from the show: On Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis urges countries to put aside ‘selfish indifference’ during coronavirus pandemic Pope Francis shares his vision for Covid-19 aftermath Pope Francis taps Argentinian priest to help lead Vatican response to coronavirus crisis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Burhans, the founder and executive director of GoodLands, has created what may be the world’s largest set of Catholic geographic information. Her nonprofit organization has mapped church-owned properties around the world with a view towards using the church’s resources more responsibly. This work has taken on an increased importance during the coronavirus pandemic: As she explains on “Inside the Vatican,” knowing the location of church hospitals in relation to, for example, low-income communities, potable water, and other health programs can help the church to use its resources more efficiently to extend care to the largest number of people. Molly speaks with producer Colleen Dulle about her recent work consulting with the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Development on its new document about water, sanitation, and hygiene. The two discuss the links between ecology and the coronavirus pandemic, and Molly makes the case for environmental programs as a necessary part of Catholic healthcare. Links from the show: Aqua Fons Vitae Explore GoodLands’ Catholic GeoHub Listen to Molly Burhans on America’s “Jesuitical” podcast Can high-tech maps help the church and save the planet? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his Easter messages, Pope Francis came out in support of a universal basic wage, relaxing economic sanctions, and forgiving the debts of poor countries. This week on the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O’Connell joins producer Colleen Dulle to talk about these policies and to look back at the response to St. John Paul II’s call for debt forgiveness in 2000. Colleen and Gerry also take a look at the new commission to study women deacons, which they reported on in print last week. The new commission features no members of the first commission to study women deacons and instead includes more obscure scholars. On the show, the hosts take a look at how these commission members are chosen. Finally, Pope Francis gave his first interview to the English-language media last week. Gerry and Colleen review their takeaways from the interview. America Media will celebrate its 111th anniversary Friday. Please consider supporting our journalism at the intersection of the church and the world by making a donation here.   Links from the show: In Easter message, Pope Francis proposes ‘universal basic wage’ In Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ address, Pope Francis calls for an end to indifference Pope Francis has set up a new commission to study women deacons Pope Francis on Living with COVID-19 Support America Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Usually, Holy Week doesn’t require any extra work from the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. A separate office organizes the pope’s liturgies, and the guidelines used around the world stay the same from year to year.This year, though, with coronavirus bringing the widespread suspension of public Masses, several needs arose that only the Congregation for Divine Worship could respond to: The congregation worked quickly to establish the new Mass in Time of Pandemic, as well as a special intention for the Good Friday liturgy and guidelines for celebrating the Holy Week liturgies without a congregation physically present.“In this moment of trial, the challenge is to stop the contagion without stopping the prayer,” said Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary of the congregation.Archbishop Roche joins “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle for a special Holy Week interview on the Vatican’s response to rapidly changing liturgical needs around the world and his advice for celebrating Holy Week at home.“Our Catholics are as creative as our priests are, and they won’t let this time pass without celebrating what is the certainty of their faith,” the archbishop said. “In other words, what the Lord has achieved, what he has given to us through his suffering and death on the cross and his resurrection. They’ll celebrate it, I feel quite sure, with deep joy, knowing that we’re safe with the Lord who is with us in our anxiety and in our suffering, because he knew what that was personally.” Links from the show: Pope Francis approves new ‘Mass in Time of Pandemic’ and Good Friday coronavirus intention On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis counsels world’s priests: ‘Take risks for forgiveness’ Pope Francis oversees an emotional Way of the Cross in empty square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Francis has given his first interview to the English-language media, which he was invited to give as a message to the anglophone world in this time of crisis. Host Colleen Dulle gives an update on what you can find in the interview, and on the new commission to study women deacons that the Vatican announced today. Links from the show: ‘A Time of Great Uncertainty’: An Interview with Pope Francis Pope Francis has set up a new commission to study women deacons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices