Deep Dive: The Swiss Guard, between tradition and reform
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 Cavelli, 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
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Pope Leo’s surprise appointment to lead the Vatican bishops’ office
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.
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The Vatican's 'trial of the century' dramatically re-opens
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.
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Pope Leo XIV gives his first interview
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.
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The Canonizations of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
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.
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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.
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