White Smoke - The Path to a New Pope

Available Episodes

5 of 13

8. The Polish Surprise
The intensity of a papal conclave can overwhelm even the most seasoned cardinals. In 1978, one hundred eleven princes of the Church gathered in the Sistine Chapel, their minds still reeling from the shocking death of Pope John Paul after just thirty-three days in office. The smoke had barely cleared from their last conclave when they were called back to Rome. For the second time in two months, they faced the weight of selecting God's representative on Earth.The election of Karol Wojtyła as John Paul II reminds us how a few days in a sealed chapel can change the course of history. Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is [email protected]
--------
18:51
7. Gods Bankers
This episode examines the complex financial world of the Vatican during John Paul I's brief papacy, focusing on the Vatican Bank and its operations. It profiles key figures in Vatican finance, while exploring the unique position of the Vatican's financial institutions. The episode discusses John Paul I's perspectives on Church finances and various theories about potential reforms, while carefully distinguishing between documented facts and speculation. It also examines the financial scandals that emerged in the years following his death and their lasting impact on Vatican transparency.
--------
22:19
6. The Morning They Found Him
This episode provides a detailed examination of September 29, 1978—the morning Pope John Paul I was discovered dead in his bed. It carefully investigates the conflicting accounts about who found his body, the evolving timeline of discovery, and the Vatican's handling of information in the crucial first hours. The episode explores why no autopsy was performed, questions about the time of death, and how these inconsistencies created an enduring mystery. Without making definitive claims, it presents the documented facts, contradictions, and unanswered questions that have fueled decades of speculation about the Pope's sudden death.
--------
17:57
Pope Francis and the Potential for Papal Retirement: Precedent, Process, and Implications (BONUS)
As Pope Francis battles the most serious health crisis of his papacy, discussions about the possibility of his resignation have moved from theoretical to increasingly concrete. The 88-year-old pontiff, hospitalized with a complex respiratory illness recently identified as double pneumonia, has experienced multiple serious medical episodes including acute respiratory failure requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation.While the Vatican continues to issue detailed health updates at Francis's own request—a level of transparency unprecedented in papal history—church observers, Vatican officials, and Catholics worldwide are contemplating what a potential papal retirement might entail. The possibility, once unthinkable before Benedict the 16th’s historic 2013 resignation, now represents a realistic scenario that would have profound implications for the Catholic Church.
--------
9:57
5. Thirty-Three Days: The Smiling Pope's Brief Reign
This episode explores the unexpected election and brief papacy of Albino Luciani, who became Pope John Paul I in August 1978. It examines how this humble son of a bricklayer broke with Vatican traditions immediately upon his election—refusing the papal throne, speaking in first person, and declining formal ceremonies. The episode traces his vision for a simpler, more accessible Church that shocked the Vatican establishment and won him worldwide admiration as "The Smiling Pope." His thirty-three days in office represented a potentially transformative moment for the Catholic Church before his sudden death cut his papacy tragically short.
--------
15:06

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About White Smoke - The Path to a New Pope

WHITE SMOKE: The Path to A New Pope explores humanity's most elaborate and secretive transfer of power - the death of a pope and the election of his successor. From the traditional three taps of a silver hammer on a pope's forehead to confirm death, to the burning of his ring, to the secret conversations that choose the next leader of one billion faithful, this series reveals the hidden rituals, ancient traditions, and behind-the-scenes drama of papal transition. Join us as we explore how the Catholic Church has perfected this sacred process over two thousand years, and what happens in those crucial days between popes when the throne of Saint Peter stands empty.

Podcast website