Vatican Insider

After years of promising to visit Toledo, my trip to Ohio finally happened on September 20th, spending 9 wonderful days (as you read on my blog yesterday) with friends of many years and making a lot of new friends along the way!

Bishop Daniel Thomas and I have been friends since 1991 when we both worked in Rome at the Vatican, along with other American priests whom Pope John Paul had called to Rome, a number of whom, like Fr. Thomas, have since become bishops, names you’d know such as Archbishops Bernard Hebda and Salvatore Cordileone.

We talk about how we all met in the early 90s, and there’s some delightful stories in our conversation. You’ll enjoy how we reminisce! My oh my, the stories and laughs we shared over the years at my dinner table!!

Obviously, I also take a good look at the diocese that Bishop Thomas shepherds, so stay tuned for Part I of our conversation after Vatican Insider’s News segment.

My guest on Vatican Insider this weekend so let me remind you that my guest in the interview segment is again Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo, Nigeria. A friend of many years, we spoke when he was in Rome with fellow bishops of Nigeria for their ad limina visit. He is a positive, hopeful person as we speak more about the situation in the country – the persecution of Christians, the economic situation, how the bishops work with the government and other religions, and his work with the young people whom he defines as the hope of Nigeria.

As you know, in recent weeks, for your travel and vacation time edification, I have been providing special reports on what is normally the interview segment of VI on what to see and do in and around Rome. This week is no different! In fact, I’m going to bring you to some of the most celebrated landmarks of Rome visited by millions of tourists – the amazing, mysterious, historical and yes, inspiring Catacombs.

In Part I last weekend I present an overview of the catacombs – their history, where they are, how many there were in ancient times, and particularly how they were built – fascinating engineering skills!

In Part II this week, I look at the specific catacombs open today to visitors.

So stay tuned for that Special after the news summary.

As you know, in recent weeks, for your travel and vacation time edification, I have been providing special reports on what is normally the interview segment of VI on what to see and do in and around Rome. This week is no different! In fact, I’m going to bring you to some of the most celebrated landmarks of Rome visited by millions of tourists – the amazing, mysterious, historical and yes, inspiring Catacombs.

In Part I this weekend I present an overview of the catacombs – their history, where they are, how many there were in ancient times, and particularly how they were built – fascinating engineering skills! In Part II next week, I’ll look at the specific catacombs open today to visitors.So stay tuned for that Special after the news summary and a Q&A.

It’s summer and vacation time, of course, and in recent weeks, on what is normally the interview segment of VI, I’ve been providing glimpses into what one should see and how to visit various places in and around Rome: Castelgandolfo, the Vatican Observatory and look at how Italians celebrate the lazy, hazy days of August! Join us for this edition of Vatican Insider.