Inside The Vatican

In this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I discuss the sudden cancellation of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification. We talk about why the beatification was postponed indefinitely, and Gerry explains what happened the last time a beatification was unexpectedly postponed. Pope Francis selected Cardinal Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle to head the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples this weekend. The congregation, which handles evangelization in Africa, Asia and Oceania, is expected to be combined with the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, which has focused primarily on Europe. The merger, part of Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman curia, would make the evangelization office the Vatican’s preeminent office and mark a shift in priority from doctrine and discipline toward evangelization. On the podcast, Gerry and I talk about what Cardinal Tagle will bring to his new position. We end this episode with the heartwarming story of how Pope Francis visited with a young Argentinian boy who was dying of cancer throughout his last years, and how he granted the boy’s dying wish to be buried in the Vatican, near where his friend, the pope, will be buried.   Links from the show: Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Tagle to head Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Updated: Beatification for Archbishop Sheen postponed A boy dying of cancer wanted to be buried near Pope Francis. His wish came true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I recap the pope’s visit to Thailand and Japan, which Gerry believes is “one for the history books.”   First up, in Thailand, the “land of smiles,” Pope Francis received a warm welcome. Gerry and I talk about the pope’s visits with his cousin and the leader of the nation’s Buddhists. Then, we look at the issues the pope hoped to bring to light: interreligious cooperation, migration, human trafficking, and giving Catholicism “a Thai face.”   Then, the pope traveled to Japan, where he spoke about nuclear weapons at the sites of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Gerry walks us through the moving scenes in both places, and we discuss Francis’ deep personal connections to Japan. We’ll also talk about the pope’s intention to add the immorality of nuclear weapons to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.   After returning to Rome, Pope Francis met with a group of U.S. bishops from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the bishops requested that the Vatican release its report on former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. We update you on when to expect that report.   Finally, the pope visited the site of the first recreation of the Nativity scene to encourage Catholics to put up their crèche this Advent.   Links from the show: What it means for Pope Francis to visit Thailand, a majority Buddhist country Pope Francis focuses on human trafficking, migration and religious harmony on a busy day in Thailand On last day in Thailand, Pope Francis tells missionaries to ‘give faith a Thai face and flesh’ On arrival in Japan, Francis recalls ‘the unique face’ of the Japanese church Pope Francis at Nagasaki and Hiroshima makes impassioned plea for peace and nuclear disarmament Pope Francis on the Vatican finance scandal and the dual threats of violence and nuclear power Pennsylvania, New Jersey bishops ask Vatican for McCarrick report Pope Francis, at site of first nativity scene, issues letter on the importance of the crèche Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the team at Inside the Vatican are sharing a new podcast from America Media. In “Plague,” America’s Michael O'Loughlin investigates stories of AIDS and the Catholic Church. The release of the first episode coincides with World AIDS Day. In this first episode, Mike tells the story of David Pais, whose journey exemplifies the experience of many gay Catholics who were personally affected by the AIDS epidemic in the early days. He describes the role his faith played helping him cope with his own diagnosis—and his struggle as he walked away from the church in anger.  You can learn more about "Plague" at americamag.org/plague. You can find Mike on Twitter @mikeoloughlin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, veteran Vatican reporter Gerard O'Connell speaks to Sebastian Gomes, who is filling in for Colleen Dulle. First, they discuss a possible papal trip to South Sudan. Second, they talk about the pope's confirmed trip in a few weeks to Japan and Thailand. Lastly, they talk about the meeting of the U.S. Bishops Conference which takes place this week, and the news that Bishop Jose Gomez will be the new president of the conference. The next episode of Inside the Vatican will be in December, when Gerry has returned from the papal trip. Show notes: Read more about the pope's desire to visit South Sudan here Read more about the pope's trip to Thailand and Japan here Read a profile of Bishop Jose Gomez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I explain the latest developments in the Vatican’s ongoing investigation into possible financial misconduct in the Vatican state department’s $200 million purchase of a building in an upscale London neighborhood. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was implicated in leaked documents about the deal, and this week denied any wrongdoing. Gerry and I cover what questions remain in the investigation. For our second story, the Jesuits celebrated 50 years of their Secretariat of Social Justice and Integral Ecology this week, marking 50 years since the order began implementing the Second Vatican Council’s preferential option for the poor. In the last five decades, 57 Jesuits have been killed while evangelizing on the margins of society. (Just a note: We mistakenly said 59 on the show and regret the error.) This week, Gerry and I examine the theme of martyrdom that has emerged repeatedly in recent weeks and how it relates to Pope Francis’ vision of evangelization. Finally, a group of U.S. bishops headed to Rome this week for their “ad limina” visits to the pope and the Roman curia. We talk about how those meetings have changed under Francis’ pontificate and what subjects the bishops are likely to address.   Links from the show: Vatican official denies allegations of financial mismanagement From 2014: Were 'Hidden Funds' Really 'Discovered' in The Vatican? America Special Topic: The Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador Pope Francis recalls persecuted Christians during Mass in catacombs     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Amazon synod is finally over after approving its final document of suggestions for Pope Francis. This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I unpack that document, and we dive into the specifics of its suggestion that the church ordain married men to the priesthood. We also take a look at the synod’s call for additional research into women deacons. While Pope Francis’ commission to study women deacons previously focused on the role female deacons played in the early church, new calls from the synod are taking into account the urgent need for ministers in remote regions of the Amazon rainforest. In addition to the synod’s concrete proposals, we take a look at the larger themes of the document, like the bishops’ commitment to take the side of the poor in the Amazon region. Faced with rapid industrialization by little-regulated corporations and the deaths of indigenous leaders, are the region’s bishops ready to follow in the footsteps of the “new martyrs” of the Amazon?   Links from the show: Bishop McElroy on the Amazon’s ecological crisis and what’s next for the women’s diaconate Synod votes to ordain married men, and to protect Amazon’s indigenous peoples and rainforests The cry of the poor is the hope of the church, Pope Francis says, closing Amazon Synod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I devote the entire episode to the Amazon synod, which just entered its final week. First, we discuss some of the ideas that have been brought up in the synod hall, including the establishment of an Amazonian rite, a permanent human rights observatory in the region and Catholic university education for indigenous people. After taking a look at what has been discussed, we break down what will happen between now and the release of the synod’s final document this weekend. Then, we take you outside the synod hall and into two extra-synodal meetings: one with indigenous leaders speaking about the challenges they face, and another with bishops and synod auditors in a catacomb outside Rome. We unpack the famous 1965 Pact of the Catacombs and this updated version that was signed this weekend amid resistance to the synod, and we look at what these documents teach us about the evolution of the Latin American church since the Second Vatican Council. Links from the show: The Amazon synod is halfway over. Here’s what we know so far. Synod groups propose an Amazonian rite and new ministries for women Amazon Synod is a place of discernment that ‘must leave space for the Spirit’ Thieves steal wood carvings used at synod prayer and throw them in the river Synod members sign new pact in the Catacombs of Domitilla, pledge simplicity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I update you on the resignation of the head of Vatican security, Commander Domenico Giani, who was nicknamed “the pope’s guardian angel.” Mr. Giani stepped down from his position after he was unable to identify who leaked Vatican security photos of the five employees who were suspended as part of a financial investigation last week. On the podcast, we explain why it was so important to Pope Francis that the source of this leak be identified, and who will replace Mr. Giani.   Next up, the Amazon synod is in full swing, and it looks a little different from past synods: Lay auditors are sitting with bishops rather than in separate sections, and many bishops are wearing clerical suits instead of cassocks. Gerry describes the scene in the synod hall, and we talk about how the participants’ familiarity and level of comfort with one another has led to the synod taking on big ideas like women’s ministry, the possibility of ordaining married men and economic challenges early in its first week.   Finally, Pope Francis canonized Cardinal John Henry Newman this week. He is England’s first saint born after 1800, and to mark the occasion, Charles, Prince of Wales, penned an op-ed in the Vatican’s newspaper. Gerry and I discuss why Cardinal Newman is such an important figure to Prince Charles and to England in the time of Brexit.   Links from the show: Head of Vatican security resigns following news leak connected to internal financial investigation Pope Francis appoints cybersecurity expert to head Vatican Security Services Amazon Synod Weekly Roundup: Calls for ecological protection and new ministries for women Pope Francis canonizes five new saints, including John Henry Newman Cardinal Nichols on why John Henry Newman is ‘a patron saint for everyone’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Vatican police raided five of the Vatican’s top offices as part of a financial investigation. On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I break down what we know and what questions remain about this raid—the first of its kind to have been made public by the Vatican.   Next up, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis delivered a strong message about loyalty to the pope to the 13 new cardinals the pope created this weekend. Gerry gives us some insights about how this message was received.   Finally, the Synod on the Amazon is in full swing. Gerry explains the moving prayer service that kicked off the synod, and we unpack the direction Pope Francis has laid out for this meeting. We also talk about why women haven’t been allowed to vote in the synod, and whether that may change.   Links from the show: Vatican police raid Secretariat of State and finance watchdog offices Vatican employees suspended as finance investigation continues Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals, emphasizes the need for ‘compassion’ and ‘loyalty’ Pope Francis opens Amazon synod, says to ‘light the fire of the Gospel’ in the region As Amazon Synod begins, Pope Francis looks to proceed with a ‘pastoral heart’ Catholic sisters and nuns call for voting rights for women at the Amazon synod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I discuss our colleague James Martin, S.J.’s meeting with Pope Francis. It was the pair’s first extended conversation, though Pope Francis is familiar with Father Martin’s work and read his book on LGBT Catholics, Building a Bridge. Up next, the first new sculpture in 400 years was unveiled in St. Peter’s Square on September 29. Titled “Angels Unawares,” the bronze sculpture shows 140 migrants and refugees from different historical eras. We discuss the sculpture’s provenance and how it fits with Pope Francis’ priorities. Finally, Cardinal William Levada died last week. A former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith a friend of Pope Benedict, we discuss Cardinal Levada’s legacy and how the college of cardinals looks different today than it did under Pope Benedict’s pontificate. Links from the show: Pope Francis meets with Father James Martin in private audience Pope Francis unveils new sculpture in St. Peter’s Square U.S. Cardinal William Levada, former head of C.D.F., dies in Rome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices