Few events in Pope Leo’s young papacy have built as much anticipation as his first consistory. Summoning the cardinals of the Catholic Church to Rome for two intense days of meetings, the pope laid out clear signals about the direction for the church and a new collaborative style of governance. On “Inside the Vatican” this week, hosts Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss the key takeaways from the consistory, including: - The significance of the topics chosen: synodality and evangelization - How Leo is building on Pope Francis’ legacy - How Leo’s collaborative style will shape church governance Links from the show: Pope Leo XIV’s papacy began today Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year‘War is back in vogue,’ Pope Leo warns in major foreign policy speech For Megaphone only: Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pope’s annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia was once a run-of-the-mill affair, but in 2005, the year he was elected pope, Benedict XVI used the speech to lay out his decisive vision for the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. Francis famously used the speech to decry the “diseases” of the Roman Curia. This week, Pope Leo XIV delivered his own first Christmas address to the Curia. On a special roundtable episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and producers Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes examine how Leo’s speech continued his predecessors’ priorities, and where it differed. “Inside the Vatican” will take a break for Christmas and return on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, barring any breaking news. Links from the show: Pope Leo in Christmas address to Vatican officials asks: ‘Is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?’ Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast Hark! The stories of our favorite Christmas carols For Megaphone only: Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Jubilee Year is drawing to a close and Christmas is drawing near. This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell cover several important arts events the Vatican has hosted in the lead-up to Christmas, including the “Concert for the Poor” featuring Michael Bublé, the Ratzinger Prize concert with conductor Riccardo Muti and a live performance about St. Peter by filmmaker Roberto Benigni. In the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry cover the final major event of the Jubilee of Hope: the jubilee for prisoners and those who work in prisons. The hosts highlight some of the key points from Pope Leo’s powerful jubilee homily. Finally, Gerry and Colleen review some of the week’s Vatican headlines, including Pope Leo’s comments on his visit to the Blue Mosque, his message of condolence to the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting and the appointment of Bishop Ronald Hicks, as the new archbishop of New York. Links from the show: Pope Leo asks Michael Bublé to give his best for the poor at Vatican Christmas concert Pope Leo attends Vatican Christmas concert for the poor featuring Catholic singer Michael Bublé Full text: Pope Leo’s homily on the Sunday of the Jubilee of Prisoners Executions nearly doubled in 2025. But the Jubilee Year saw other good news for death penalty abolition. Pope Leo explains why he appeared not to pray at the Blue Mosque in Turkey Pope Leo condemns ‘antisemitic violence,’ ‘terrorist massacre’ in Sydney Pope Leo picks Chicago-born Ronald Hicks to follow Dolan in New York Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Dec. 4, the final report from the Vatican’s second study commission on women deacons was published, saying that women can’t be ordained to the diaconate “as understood as a degree of holy orders,” but it stopped short of an unequivocal “no” to women deacons, saying that while its “assessment is strong…it does not allow for a definitive judgment to be formulated at this time.” This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Vatican correspondents Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell unpack the commission’s report: how it came about, why the commission seems to have left the door open to women deacons despite its “no,” and where the push for women’s ministries in the church is likely to go next. In the second part of the show, Gerry and Colleen examine the dissolution of a Holy See fundraising commission that Pope Francis approved while he was in the hospital. Gerry argues that Pope Francis would likely have dissolved the commission, too, and Colleen raises concern that Vatican officials had asked the pope to sign off on things when he was not in a state to do so. After our recording, Pope Leo commented on why he appeared not to pray in the Blue Mosque—a topic Colleen and Gerry discussed last week. You can read Colleen’s story here. A correction to our production credits: Inside the Vatican was engineered by Adam Buchmueller this week. Links from the show: Vatican report says no to ordaining women deacons—for now Video: Women Deacons and the Catholic Church | An Explainer Pope Leo cancels Vatican fundraising commission announced under questionable circumstances UPDATED: Pope Leo meets Ukraine’s Zelensky as European leaders discuss controversial U.S. peace plan Pope Leo explains why he appeared not to pray at the Blue Mosque in Turkey Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, the Vatican published the results of its second study commission on women deacons. It said that women cannot be admitted to the diaconate “as understood as a degree of holy orders.” However, it stopped short of an unequivocal “no” to women deacons, saying that while the commission’s “assessment is strong… it does not allow for a definitive judgment to be formulated at this time, as in the case of priestly ordination.” Stay tuned to Inside the Vatican for a more in-depth look at this story, and read Gerard O’Connell’s report here: Vatican report says no to ordaining women deacons—for now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Later this week, Pope Leo XIV begins his first international apostolic visit: a six-day trip to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2. At the center of that journey is his stop in Nicaea—today the town of İznik—where the first ecumenical council (325 A.D.) set down the Nicene Creed, the profession of faith that has united Christians for seventeen centuries. Pope Francis had hoped to make this pilgrimage in May; now, Pope Leo is taking up the mantle. We’re re-running our deep dive episode on Nicaea today—originally published before Pope Francis’ death. It explores the history of Nicaea and its ongoing importance for Christians, particularly in working toward a common Easter date. In the show’s introduction, producer Ricardo da Silva, S.J., updates listeners on Pope Leo’s new document on Christian unity, released to commemorate the council’s anniversary, and on a recently issued doctrinal note on monogamy from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. In the deep dive, you’ll hear from: Aristotle (Telly) Papanikolaou, Professor of Theology and the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture at Fordham University  John Chryssavgis, deacon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina in Canada and a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity  Married professors Ben Hohman, a Roman Catholic, and Claire Koen, an Eastern Orthodox Christian Sandra Beardsall, Professor Emerita of Church History and Ecumenics at St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon, Canada, an ordained United Church minister and a member of the World Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Links from the show: Why the Council of Nicaea still matters—1,700 years later Pope Leo in Lebanon—and Catholics in the Middle East (Jesuitical podcast) Pope Leo in Turkey and Lebanon: What to expect from his first international trip The Council of Nicaea, Christian unity and a common date for Easter Pope Francis: The Catholic Church is willing to accept a common date for Easter in the East and West “In Unitate Fidei”, Apostolic Letter by Pope Leo XIV on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea “Una caro”  (“One Flesh: In Praise of Monogamy”), doctrinal note from Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and executive producer Sebastian Gomes unpack the news from the reports and analyze in-depth the work of the groups studying women’s ministries, seminary formation and the appointment of bishops. Links from the show: Synod study groups on ‘controversial’ issues release interim reports To submit contributions to the liturgy working group: synodus@synod.va (Further info) The debate on women deacons in the Catholic Church: A short documentary Podcast: Inside the top secret process of appointing a Catholic bishop The changing face of seminary formation: Group therapy, digital detoxing and more listening Pope Leo to Hollywood: Don’t give up on movies (or movie theaters) Pope Leo fulfills Francis’ promise: 62 Indigenous artifacts returned to Canada On World Day of the Poor, Pope Leo calls on government leaders ‘to listen to the cry of the poorest’ More information on Pope Leo’s Q-and-A with American youthSupport Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On “Inside the Vatican” this week, Senior Vatican Correspondent Gerard O’Connell explains what we know about the meeting, what cardinals are expecting, and what it means that this will be Pope Leo’s first big agenda item that was not already planned for Pope Francis. Links from the show: Buy Gerry’s new book (Spanish edition) El último Cónclave! Pope Leo to call College of Cardinals to Rome for a two-day January meeting Vatican News: Augustinian Fr Daleng new vice regent of Pontifical Household Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On “Inside the Vatican” this week, Vatican correspondents Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss the new doctrinal statement on Mary and look at St. John Henry Newman being named a doctor of the church and co-patron of Catholic education. Links from the show: Pope Leo says ICE should allow ‘pastoral workers’ to bring detained migrants Communion Vatican officially says no to controversial titles for Mary: ‘Co-redemptrix’ and ‘Mediatrix of all Graces’ Pope Leo declares St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the church and co-patron of Catholic education St. John Henry Newman’s unique approach to conscience Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo XIV delivered remarkably candid responses at a jubilee gathering for synodal teams and participatory bodies, in what senior Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell called “perhaps the most extraordinary session” he has witnessed since Leo’s election. 0:00 Intro 0:27 Interfaith peace meeting 1:48 Synod Jubilee Q-and-A 17:06 Synod Jubilee homily 23:45 Visit of King Charles III 28:54 Address to Popular Movements 34:28 Meeting with Jesuits 41:05 Latin Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica 46:04 Outro and Credits Links from the show: Watch the Synod Jubilee Q-and-A Read: Pope Leo’s homily on what it means to be a synodal church No, synodality is not a ‘Trojan horse’ that will destroy the church. Pope Leo and King Charles make history with first-ever joint prayer service in Sistine Chapel Pope: Popular movements must fill void left by society’s inhuman indifference Full Text: Speech to the Popular Movements Pope Leo’s address to the Jesuits: ‘The church needs you at the frontiers.’ Analysis: Why is Pope Leo letting Cardinal Burke say the Latin Mass at the Vatican? Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Elise Allen, senior correspondent for Crux, sat down with Pope Leo XIV for his first full-length interview since his election, she heard echoes of Pope Francis’ inclusive vision—“todos, todos, todos”—but also a key difference. As she told Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell, hosts of “Inside the Vatican,” that when it comes to affirming church teaching, Leo is “much more willing to say that upfront and to just be super clear about that, drawing the line from the beginning.” In the interview, Elise explained how Leo’s pastoral experiences have formed him into a leader whose ministry embodies synodality in action. He empowered lay leaders, particularly women, as a parish priest in Peru. As prior general of the Augustinians, he confronted corruption within his religious order. Returning as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he handled clergy sex abuse cases and investigated the controversial lay society Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. This collaborative approach has deep roots in the Latin American church, she said, where “the Augustinians were doing it for decades” and “the rest of the church is catching up.” She noted that “synodality is really at the core of what he wants to do,” and while Francis set the vision, Leo is “a very practical person.” She expects, in his pontificate, “more commissions, more teams—that sort of blended leadership, blended collaboration as things go forward.” Her book, León XIV, ciudadano del mundo, misionero del siglo XXI, is out now in Spanish from Penguin Peru, with an English edition expected in early 2026. Links from the show: In new biography, Pope Leo weighs in on Trump, LGBTQ Catholics and the Latin Mass How Pope Leo plans to govern the church: From Rome to China to Gaza Pope Leo meets with board of global organization of clergy sexual abuse victims to talk zero-tolerance Pope Leo declares seven new saints, including first from Venezuela and Papua New Guinea Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo is drawing criticism from some U.S. Catholics over his consistent pro-life ethic, particularly after responding to questions about Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich’s plan to honor Senator Dick Durbin with a lifetime achievement award, despite Durbin’s support for abortion rights. While he said he was not familiar with all the details, Pope Leo expressed confidence in Cardinal Cupich’s judgment and emphasized that being truly “pro-life” means opposing not only abortion but also the death penalty and the “inhumane treatment of immigrants.” Senior Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell notes on “Inside the Vatican” that the pope’s “honeymoon period” appears to have ended as he speaks his mind on church teaching. Also on the show: Pope Leo calls the Israel–Hamas ceasefire "a spark of hope," Cardinal Cupich's new Vatican appointment, upcoming synod gatherings and speculation about the pope using Duolingo to learn German at 3 a.m. Links from the show: Pope Leo pleads for a just peace as cease-fire in Gaza holds Pope Leo tells border bishop: The American church needs ‘to be united’ on migration Pope Leo is finding his voice on migrationPope Leo ice blessing sets off social media meltdown Credits: Producer: Ricardo da Silva, SJ Audio engineering and video editing: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo XIV has released his first major teaching document, “Dilexi Te” (”I Have Loved You”). The apostolic exhortation, addressed “to all Christians on love for the poor,” was begun by Pope Francis and completed by Pope Leo. It emphasizes that the poor reveal a fundamental way of encountering Christ. Gerard O’Connell, senior Vatican correspondent, and Ricardo da Silva, S.J., associate editor, join Colleen Dulle, host and Vatican correspondent, for a roundtable discussion on the document’s themes, its continuity with Pope Francis and the challenges and encouragement that it offers Christians. Credits Producers: Colleen Dulle and Ricardo da Silva, S.J. Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Audio and video engineering: Kevin Christopher Robles Production assistance: Will Gualtiere Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by ⁠subscribing to America Magazine⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Swiss Guard is the oldest army in the world. Steeped in tradition, bearing the weight of history, the Pontifical Swiss Guard—like the whole of the Catholic Church—is in a constant balancing act between safeguarding heritage and responding to modern-day needs. In this deep dive episode of “Inside the Vatican,” the team reports from the Swiss Guard’s barracks on how the historic corps is navigating the tension between past, present and future. Interviews include: David Alvarez, military historian and author of The Pope's Soldiers: A Military History of the Modern Vatican Corporal Nicola Crivelli, vice-instructor of the Swiss Guard Corporal Eliah Cinotti, spokesman of the Swiss Guard Halbardier Sven Rechsteiner, a new guard Rev. Kolumban Reichlin, O.S.B., chaplain of the Swiss Guard Links from the show: The Swiss Guards have a new uniform. Don’t worry, the iconic one remains Female Swiss Guards? New expansions open the door for change at the Vatican Credits: Producers: Maggi Van Dorn, Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Colleen Dulle Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Audio engineer: Frank Tuson Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Leo made a surprise appointment to fill the position he left behind as Prefect for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, the office that vets and recommends candidates to lead dioceses around the world. The man he chose, Archbishop Filippo Iannone, age 67, is an Italian bishop and member of the Carmelite Order. He was not, per Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell, among the names circulated before the appointment was made. In this short episode of “Inside the Vatican”—abbreviated because of a forthcoming deep dive episode—Colleen and Gerry discuss Archbishop Iannone’s background and what he may bring to this influential Vatican role. Links from the show: Pope Leo makes a surprise pick for his first major Vatican appointment Deep Dive: Inside the top secret process of appointing a Catholic bishop King Charles III to make delayed state visit to Vatican 6 months after death of Pope Francis NYC choir performs at the Vatican for Pope Leo—in his own words Credits: Producer: Ricardo da Silva, SJ Audio engineering and video editing: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As protests for Gaza shut down ports, schools and transit services in Italy this week, Pope Leo spoke again about the Holy Land, on Sunday greeting representatives from various Catholic groups that are “engaged in works of solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip.” This week on Inside the Vatican, co-hosts and Vatican correspondents Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss Pope Leo’s comments on Gaza both on Sunday and in his first major interview with Crux’s Elise Allen. They analyze Leo’s hesitance to name the conflict a genocide and discuss a Vatican News editorial that laid out the Holy See’s position on peace in the region. In the second part of the show, the hosts give an update on the Vatican’s “trial of the century,” a sprawling financial trial that opened dramatically this week in the Vatican’s appeals court. Links from the show: How Pope Leo plans to govern the church: From Rome to China to Gaza Why you should pay attention to the Vatican News editorial on Palestine Defense in Vatican ‘trial of the century’ asks prosecutor to recuse himself for questionable conduct Pope Leo asks Catholics to pray the rosary for peace every day in October Credits: Production, engineering and video editing: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams hosted an unprecedented pop concert in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday night, Sept. 13, the eve of Pope Leo XIV’s 70th birthday. This week on “Inside the Vatican,” America Vatican correspondents Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss the concert, the Pope Leo’s birthday, and excerpts from his first major papal interview. The hosts discuss Pope Leo’s comments on his American and Peruvian identity, synodality, polarization and the role of the Holy See as both a mediator and a voice for peace. Links from the show: Leo turns 70: What it means to have a (relatively) young pope How do popes celebrate their birthdays? Pizza, parties and puppies Pope Leo receives credentials of U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Pope Leo calls out billionaires and income inequality in first interview From Chicago to Chiclayo to Rome: The Global Social Vision of Pope Leo XIV The unlikely hip-hop duo performing at a historic Vatican concert Pope Leo expresses his ‘profound closeness’ to the people of Gaza as Israeli ground invasion begins Credits: Production, engineering and video editing: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” America Vatican correspondents Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss the canonization of Sts. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Gerry shares the sense of renewal he sees in the church given the popularity of these saints among young Catholics, and Colleen asks about some of the political and financial considerations in the saint-making process. In the second half of the show, Colleen and Gerry discuss the “official-unofficial” nature of the LGBT Jubilee, which brought LGBT Catholics from around the world to Rome for a pilgrimage through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. Links from the show Pope Leo XIV declares Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati saints in a celebration of youthful devotion On the ground for the canonization of Saints Acutis and Frassati: Crowds, communion and Cheez-Its Deep Dive: How are saints made in the Catholic Church? Inside the long, complicated and expensive process LGBTQ Catholics process through Holy Door at St. Peter’s Credits Production and engineering: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the eighth season of Inside the Vatican! This week, America’s Senior Vatican Correspondent Gerard O’Connell and Vatican Correspondent Colleen Dulle unpack two significant meetings Pope Leo XIV held this week: One with their colleague the Rev. James Martin, S.J., and the other with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Gerry and Colleen reveal the significance of seemingly small details like the inclusion of Father Martin’s meeting on the Vatican’s daily bulletin and the disagreement between the Holy See and Israel over whether or not the pope invited the president. In the second half of the show, Colleen and Gerry trade places, as Gerry interviews Colleen about her recently-released book, Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter (Image, 2025). The two reflect on their very different experiences of the Catholic church and Colleen reflects on what has kept her in the church while covering distressing stories. Links from the show: Pope Leo and Israel’s president discuss ‘tragic situation in Gaza’ in private audience Israeli president Herzog to visit Pope Leo at Vatican Pope Leo meets with Father James Martin, seen as a sign of support for ministry with L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Father James Martin: Pope Leo’s message for LGBTQ Catholics Excerpt: A Vatican reporter on keeping the faith amid the Catholic Church’s scandals Struck Down, Not Destroyed: Keeping the Faith as a Vatican Reporter by Colleen Dulle Credits: Production and engineering: Kevin Christopher Robles Executive producer: Sebastian Gomes Inside the Vatican is a production of America Media. Support our podcast—become a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices