Inside The Vatican

186

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.

Recent Episodes
  • Remembering Francis: A roundtable with Colleen, Gerry and Ricardo
    Apr 22, 2025 – 35:41
  • Pope Francis has died at age 88
    Apr 21, 2025 – 01:56
  • Deep Dive: The Council of Nicaea and the struggle for a common date of Easter
    Apr 10, 2025 – 54:39
  • The Rise and Fall of Theodore McCarrick
    Apr 8, 2025 – 24:19
  • Pope Francis says he is ‘healing’ in body and soul
    Apr 3, 2025 – 28:45
  • Who is the nurse who made medical decisions for the pope?
    Mar 27, 2025 – 29:49
  • Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital tomorrow
    Mar 22, 2025 – 01:33
  • Could Pope Francis and King Charles’ meeting actually happen in just a few weeks?
    Mar 21, 2025 – 34:01
  • Pope Francis’ recovery and the church’s stance on gender dysphoria
    Mar 13, 2025 – 38:46
  • Listen: Pope Francis' audio message from Gemelli Hospital
    Mar 6, 2025 – 01:48
  • Pope Francis’ hospitalization: The complex picture, three weeks in
    Mar 6, 2025 – 44:55
  • Pope Francis suffers two acute respiratory crises
    Mar 3, 2025 – 04:25
  • Pope Francis returns to ‘critical state’ after bronchial spasm
    Feb 28, 2025 – 04:20
  • A complete picture of Pope Francis’ ongoing health crisis
    Feb 27, 2025 – 36:44
  • Pope Francis receives oxygen, blood transfusion in hospital
    Feb 22, 2025 – 02:07
  • Pope Francis hospitalized with double pneumonia
    Feb 20, 2025 – 35:36
  • Update: Pope Francis' hospitalization to continue longer than expected
    Feb 17, 2025 – 02:51
  • Interview: Bishop Paul Tighe on the Vatican's response to AI
    Feb 13, 2025 – 41:49
  • Update: Pope Francis denounces Trump’s mass deportations in letter to U.S. bishops
    Feb 11, 2025 – 03:12
  • Could the Catholic date for Easter change soon?
    Feb 6, 2025 – 30:59
  • Deep Dive: What happened at the 2024 Synod on Synodality
    Jan 30, 2025 – 54:09
  • Pope Francis says mass U.S. deportations would be a "disgrace"
    Jan 24, 2025 – 28:41
  • Vatican approves new guidelines for gay seminarians in Italy
    Jan 16, 2025 – 34:16
  • Cardinal McElroy to DC and Sister Brambilla to a top spot at the Vatican: what you need to know
    Jan 9, 2025 – 34:34
  • The Jubilee year: Its history and what’s planned for 2025
    Dec 26, 2024 – 27:17
  • Pope Francis’ birthday, biography and shocking assassination attempt revelation
    Dec 19, 2024 – 25:03
  • Pope Francis creates 21 cardinals, calls for an end to U.S. death penalty
    Dec 12, 2024 – 26:15
  • Pope Francis explains magisterial weight of synod final document
    Dec 5, 2024 – 28:31
  • Pope Francis on Gaza: We must investigate allegations of genocide
    Nov 21, 2024 – 25:38
  • The Vatican responds to Donald Trump’s re-election as president
    Nov 14, 2024 – 29:46
  • Interview: Michael W. Higgins on how Pope Francis has ‘disrupted’ the church
    Nov 7, 2024 – 38:46
  • Key takeaways from the synod with Cardinal Joe Tobin
    Oct 31, 2024 – 38:59
  • Catherine Clifford on the Synod’s accomplishments, communications failures and what's next
    Oct 29, 2024 – 36:06
  • Father James Martin on making history at the Synod on Synodality
    Oct 25, 2024 – 33:16
  • Inside the contentious synod meeting on women deacons
    Oct 24, 2024 – 41:50
  • A Methodist’s take on the synod, dialogue and unity between Christian Churches
    Oct 22, 2024 – 38:34
  • How authority is being reimagined at the Synod
    Oct 17, 2024 – 45:20
  • Interview: Laurence Gien, the abuse survivor and baritone who spoke at the Vatican
    Oct 15, 2024 – 37:02
  • New cardinals, a penitential liturgy and women deacons: Week One of the Synod
    Oct 10, 2024 – 36:22
  • Your burning Vatican questions answered
    Oct 8, 2024 – 45:31
  • Pope Francis criticized in Belgium; members of Peruvian lay group suspended for abuse
    Oct 3, 2024 – 26:15
  • Two young, lay synod delegates on what it’s (really) like in the synod hall
    Oct 1, 2024 – 51:31
  • The Vatican’s Medjugorje decision, explained
    Sep 26, 2024 – 30:46
  • Trump and Harris ‘both against life,’ pope says
    Sep 19, 2024 – 29:31
  • With Pope Francis in Timor Leste
    Sep 12, 2024 – 26:50
  • ‘Inside the Vatican’ live from Jakarta
    Sep 6, 2024 – 22:45
  • Deep Dive: The Rise and Fall of Archbishop Viganò
    Jul 30, 2024 – 37:30
  • Viganò charged with schism
    Jun 28, 2024 – 28:26
  • Pope Francis meets Biden, Zelensky, and talks AI ethics at G7 summit
    Jun 20, 2024 – 35:13
  • Pope Francis to meet Joe Biden, Whoopi Goldberg this week
    Jun 13, 2024 – 29:19
Recent Reviews
  • Tomatthinking
    We need
    We need this excellent podcast now more than ever.
  • Belv sas
    Deep Dive: Council of Nicaea
    Thank you for this episode. It’s very informative and timely. A full picture of the possibilities that are present with enough history to explain/educate us on how the Christian community has evolved to this point.
  • Capital M. A.
    In appreciation
    I always appreciate the updated content and hearing directly from credible sources news from the Vatican. Keep up the great work. Many thanks and blessings to the team.
  • Hummingbird 7
    Thank you!
    You’re doing great!
  • macjeffff
    Fascinating
    It’s a privilege to hear the insights of Gerry O’Connell from Rome. His depth of knowledge and experience is a treasure trove for discerning listeners.
  • newyork10r
    A great service to the Catholic faithful
    Great analysis of the news out of the Vatican. It’s a great supplement my spirituality development and feeling connected to the goings on in the Catholic Church, both negative and positive. Thank you for your ministry.
  • mdcofell
    Informative & Interesting!
    I very much enjoy listening to your podcast. It is so very interesting. You are my favorite method of keeping up with Catholic news, the Vatican and Christianity. My only wish is that you were on more often.!
  • mhaliett
    Clericalism affirmed
    The officious tone and constant hopeless pleading for the church to be something it will never be only strongly confirms my decision to leave it!!!!!
  • Apctravel
    Catholic update par excellence
    I find the topics timely and fairly presented. What I find interesting is how secular Media has a different take away on what actually happened.
  • ibmtim
    Very well balanced, informative program
    As a Deacon I use much of its content to keep my parish up to date with what is happening with the Church at large! Great job!
  • nickjeanjoe
    Inside the Vatican
    This is an excellent podcast. Thank you, America Magazine! This is the podcast I most look forward to hearing of all the podcasts I subscribe to—both secular and religious. Indeed, it is a breath of fresh air for me since it features dialogues that are frank and insightful, and it is not afraid to engage in often controversial issues in our Church today. It is encouraging to know that other members of the Catholic faithful have the same questions as I do and and who want to talk about them. Kathleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell are wonderful together. Anne Marie Candido Arkansas
  • 1391
    I listen but
    Way to liberal, sounds Catholic but leans to far towards changing sound doctrine. I only listen to track what the liberals are doing to the church I love.
  • April Epiphany
    Blessings and backlash
    Well done! I liked the presentation of the broad spectrum of responses and some of the cultural and legal contexts from around the world.
  • Yussssssssssddss
    Promotes Heresy
    Heretical
  • nycjrp
    Great podcast!
    Very informative and easy to listen to.
  • ChocolatePi
    Worth your time
    This podcast is insightful, balanced, well-informed, and interesting. It’s made it to my shortlist of regular weekly listening. I’m grateful to finally have a place that I feel I can trust for information about current events in the Church.
  • Eclectic-a
    Inside the Vatican
    I really enjoy the show. As a Catholic with grave concerns about the church, the show gives me hope that our pope is leading us in the right direction, trying to get the Catholic faith back to what Jesus Christ envisioned as His church. I wish the show was on more frequently.
  • amigosaq
    Thanks for Lively and Balanced Reports
    Thank you for these wide-ranging and well-informed conversations that I see as broadly contributing to a lively and unifying view of what it means to be a Catholic today. We need excellent journalism which you provide. I especially appreciate Colleen Dulle’s perspective as a young laywomen, balancing the savvy takes of Gerard O’Connell on the scene in Rome. Adelante! Rose M Quilter rscj.
  • Smrgrl
    An important resource for all Catholics
    This is an intelligent and well produced podcast providing the inside news of the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church that you may or may not hear on the regular news. I learn a lot about the church’s role on the world stage and intricacies of those relationships in the secular world. Highly recommended.
  • Inside Thoughts
    Insightful and Thoughtful
    Inside the Vatican is an insightful and thoughtful podcast. I enjoy listening to it each week. The discussions give food for thought and reflection and provide a wide perspective to current issues and news coming out of the Vatican. It is engaging and thought provoking. I appreciate listening to Ricardo, Colleen and Gerry. Bravo to the team that puts this together.
  • Jose-Secaucus
    Gracias
    Your show is becoming a regular in my podcast list. I would like to have more of it every year. Gracias.
  • Patrick8645
    Informative and thoughtful
    They choose the most important stories, and they’re not afraid to choose topics which make people uncomfortable.
  • 66TRC
    An unbalanced assessment
    Each time I think I will subscribe to “America,” I either hear or read something so off putting and disingenuous that I don’t. In your March 10 podcast, Ms Dulle repeats her doubt about the truthfulness of Pope Benedict VXI’s assertion that he and his staff erred rather than lied about the pontiff’s presence at the meeting. It seems reasonable to blame his aged infirmity on a mistake and on his trust in his staff to properly assist him in this matter. I don’t give the Holy Father a pass. He made a serious mistake and apologized for it. But context matters. Mr O’Connell repeatedly tried to impress upon Ms Dulle the good that the Pope had done about the clergy sex abuse scandals, considering the hundreds of priests he removed from the priestly office for their abuse or the very supportive letter Benedict received from Pope Francis, but it seemed that she would not relent. Difficult not to wonder if she has an underlying bias against Benedict and his “conservative” pontificate. Amazingly, Ms Dulle relied on a discredited anti-Catholic organization (SNAP) to buttress her case, a reliance that unquestionably and therefore ironically weakens it. I don’t fault Ms Dulle for any righteous anger she might feel about the scandal, because we should all feel that way. But we need a more balanced assessment of the case, and we didn’t get it from her.
  • sisyphus216
    Essential
    I listen to every episode (started during RCIA) and I find it incredibly helpful in following the latest news from the Vatican. The inter generational respect and teamwork between Colleen and Gerard is really wonderful as well.
  • janbrownmcEwen
    interesting, and a must-listen each week
    Who would have thought a podcast about the doings of the Vatican would become a fascinating listen each week? Not me, but I tune in each week and send a shout out to everyone responsible for this informational and interesting look in to another world so different and similar to my own little Catholic world. Thank you so very much.
  • MashterSchwimmer
    A wonderful resource for thoughtful Catholics.
    I look forward to each new program and refer to the archives often. Thank you for producing a program which seeks to understand and clarify a broad range of topics that are of interest to all Catholics.
  • [___Theo___]
    Possibly the best Catholic podcast today
    Colleen and Gerry really help understand what is going on behind the scenes in the Vatican. Colleen brings critical questions and Gerry has excellent access in Rome. Together they are a real power team!
  • Ginagina Smith
    Lord of the World
    After listening to the podcast, I read it! Quite the book & very interesting that it is one quoted by Pope Francis.
  • Beth415
    Fascinating, insightful dialogue
    I love this weekly update and conversation between two talented journalists from America. I look forward to the dialogue between Colleen and Gerard, who bring intelligence, warmth, curiosity and compassion to their intergenerational exchange. This is a must listen for me each week.
  • Sister Marcy
    Colleen Dulle
    I’ve enjoyed the topics discussed however was confused when Colleen referred to President Biden as one who “identifies as Catholic.” This is code used by many of the American bishops who wish to refuse him the Eucharist. As a Catholic, I support Biden’s decisions around women’s health. The American bishops have no power over my conscience. Perhaps they should read over Vatican II documents.
  • Buche2
    Francis?
    Why do you say Francis? Isn’t he the Pope? Are you forgetting to show your respect? What is going on?
  • gnidrg
    Well done
    Have listened to a number of episodes and am happy to have found a way to get some news stories about the Vatican that does not require a lot of time to hear and absorb. Appreciate the balanced reporting, pleasant personalities, and professional approach.
  • J.D. Combs
    Great!
    How I stay up to date with all the most important things going on in the Catholic Church. Great analysis by reputable and experienced reporters who understand the Church. A great tool for those working at parishes or other parts of the Church to know what’s going on.
  • Brazilian1984
    Informative and moving
    Listening to this podcast has been very informative and moving! I highly recommend this podcast if you want to know what’s going on at the Vatican and in the church in general. They give you information without spin. This podcast has also moved me to want to make a difference in the world for the better using the principles of my Roman Catholic faith.
  • katie ge
    Great
    Really enjoy this podcast. It’s very informative and entertaining.
  • semblables
    essential podcast
    I could listen to a whole genre of podcasts like this one, even more in depth. actually hearing coverage of whats happening in the vatican is so helpful and restores hope
  • Tully Mars
    Covering Vatican activities
    I really enjoy this podcast because of how it presents a nuanced and seemingly balanced view of the activities of the Vatican. I also really appreciate how it provides the greater context for each story. My only suggestion would be if it could go even more in depth!
  • Wanderer of the Valley
    A must for every catholic!
    For a Catholic it is important for us to understand what is going on in Rome and unfortunately the mainstream news outlets do a terrible job in reporting what’s going on in the Vatican. The two hosts give not only the headlines but also analysis and perspectives. I look forward to it every week. Keep up the excellent work!
  • claudio1960nyc
    Informative and thought-provoking
    This podcast has become my go to source for news about Francis and the global Church. The intergenerational conversation between Gerry and Colleen is clear without being simplistic, and more often than not thought-provoking and hopeful. May America Media continue to support it for a long time to come. Kudos!
  • Lingualatina33
    Great Weekly News Roundup
    This is a great podcast to keep anybody up to date with the complicated world which is the Vatican. Not only will you understand the dynamics of the Roman Catholic Church better, but you will learn more about the faith of the Church.
  • adewqrty
    Propaganda
    This show bends over backwards to put the church in a good light. Even when the story is horrible, this show still tries to make it sound good… Propaganda. To her credit the host will ask hard questions but the answer she’s always given are 100% towing the church line.
  • Cocogiggl35
    Excellent insight and engaging
    This podcast is really educating me - I only ever heard the headlines about the Vatican and read articles from major news sources. This is giving a much needed perspective - a view from inside- hence the title... They aren't trying to present all viewpoints but are thoughtfully reflecting on the perspectives from Gerry’s experiences and Colleen’s wise questions. Love it and look forward to every episode. Thanks for the great work!
  • walterlouis422
    best vatican news podcast
    This is the the best news summary for the Vatican that i have heard. This podcast is a welcome correction to the partisan tensions and misinformation bedeviling the Roman Catholic church in the U.S.
  • DaleCooper
    OK but not really balanced
    Quite interesting, I'll admit. Colleen has a nice voice and Jerry has a good journalistic gravelly voice. Content will keep you up to date. My only peeve is that Jerry is just an apologist for the Pope. You will never hear any critique of any policy from him. He is probably afraid to lose his Vatican Press Corps badge. Very one-sided. Also, Jerry has the usual Euro superiority complex. Lots of answers/comments like "well obviously...". So the usual over-compensation to make up for, well, something. But Jerry does seem to know how the Vatican works.
  • Sherry SLR
    Sound, Balanced Discussion of News From Vatican
    I really haven’t known where to find to get succinct coverage of what’s going on at the Vatican until I found this podcast. Colleen and Gerard maintain a lively discourse throughout each podcast. I genuinely enjoy their interaction with one another. They both maintain quite a professional journalistic position; unlike several other Catholic podcasts I listen to, I have NO clue how either personally feels about Pope Francis, and that is how I want my news—smart, thorough, and UNbiased. Colleen is excellent with follow up questions. I’m very happy to have found this podcast, a true blessing!
  • drays720
    Thanks
    I really appreciate this weekly focus on Vatican News. It fills a real need. And it’s done well with knowledgeable and friendly hosts!
  • Justin B. D.
    Interesting, Quick, and Informative
    This podcast is an awesome quick look at the important stories that come out of the Vatican each week. The combination of Gerry’s seasoned knowledge and Colleen’s youthful style helps the podcast cover important stories from diverse viewpoints in a quick 15 minute overview. I love listening every week and I appreciate their work!
  • Voice Student
    Unique Coverage of News and Analysis
    Gerard O’Connell’s vast experience adds context for events and insight into the challenges of leading a worldwide Church. Colleen Dulle’s thorough preparation and thoughtful questions help the listener get a deeper understanding of issues in the Church. I don’t get this content anywhere else and am most grateful for having this resource.
  • Vivian Ivette
    Refreshing Vatican Podcast
    Inside the Vatican is such a refreshing look at what’s happening at the Vatican. Colleen and Gerry have such a great rapport and I love how they tackle every topic in a clear and concise way. Thanks for the great podcast!
  • Kevin Shull
    I never knew I never knew
    Great variety and just enough depth. Point to articles I can read when I'm hungry to know more. Love it!
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