Vatican Insider

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” says George Gershwin’s famous song “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess.” “The livin’ is easy” unless, of course, you are a tourist in Italy in July and August, desirious of seeing everything this culturally super rich country has to offer but you have to do so under scorching temperatures. There are days when the sidewalks seem to melt right under your feet and your shoes seem to become one with the pavement! Well, there are two abundant, faith-filled ways to get a bit of relief. Churches – and there are hundreds in Rome! – offer a coolness that truly uplifts the spirit as you slowly walk around, enjoying the work of silversmiths and goldsmiths, the sculptures, the many chapels, the main altar, the stunning cosmatesque floors and much more. Hopefully you will visit a few churches as Mass is about to begin. Another way to cool off is to spend some time in one or more of Rome’s celebrated catacombs. They are all well underground, of course and you will cool off the second y

As you know, Sunday, July 28 the Church marks the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Thus, I decided to reprise a conversation I previously had with Catherine Wiley, grandmother and founder of Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) and Marilyn Henry who coordinates CGA in the United States. (Catherine L, Marilyn R) Both women are grandmothers and both have exceptional lives and stories. As you will hear, Catherine had an idea, a dream that eventually came true with the First World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly! Such a great story of love and determination! And teamwork with Marilyn at her side. Enjoy! Heartfelt congratulations to all grandparents this weekend! Congrats also to the many senior citizens of the world who act as grandparents for the younger generations. By the way, the Apostolic Penitentiary is granting a Plenary Indulgence for the faithful who take part in the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 28 under the usual conditions of sacramental Confession, recept

Welcome to Vatican Insider on yet another scorching weekend in so many parts of the world. I hope you are staying cool as you listen to the program this week, especially the interview segment with my two special guests. As you know, Sunday, July 28 the Church marks the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Thus, this weekend and next, in the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I reprise a conversation I had with Catherine Wiley, grandmother and founder of Catholic Grandparents Association (CGA) and Marilyn Henry who coordinates CGA in the United States Both women are grandmothers and both have exceptional lives and stories. As you will hear, Catherine was truly the catalyst for this now annual World Day. For years, Catherine had an idea, a dream and, after many meetings with Vatican officials and a couple with Pope Francis, the Pope instituted The World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly!

Welcome to Vatican Insider on what seems to be a torrid weekend in so much of the world! And so many people in the world do not have access to air conditioning or other methods of cooling off so let’s pray for those brothers and sisters of ours! This weekend in the interview segment! I present Part II of my conversation with Fr. Ramil Fajardo, a dear friend from the archdiocese of Chicago. For several years, he was the rector of the shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago. During his time there, he organized a Jubilee Year dedicated to Mother Cabrini and he is now involved in an interesting way with the Church’s worldwide 2025 Jubilee Year. Fr. Ramil, in fact, announced last week in Part I that a statue of Mother Cabrini is coming to Rome for the 2025 Holy Year and will be placed in a garden area of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls basilica. So, join Fr. Ramil and me for that riveting story! When you think of the impact of Frances Xavier Cabrini’s life dedicated to migrants over a century ago and the ex

I speak with Fr. Ramil Fajardo, a dear friend from the archdiocese of Chicago who, for several years, was the rector of the shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Chicago. During his time there, he organized a Jubilee Year dedicated to Mother Cabrini and he is now involved in an interesting way with the Church’s worldwide 2025 Jubilee Year. Fr. Ramil, in fact, makes a wonderful announcement about Mother Cabrini and Rome and the 2025 Holy Year. You will be delighted! So, join Fr. Ramil and me for that riveting story! When you think of the impact of Frances Xavier Cabrini’s life dedicated to migrants over a century ago and the extensive worldwide plight of migrants today, we know we must do what she did: bring God’s caring love to those who, like our own ancestors at some point, face unknown challenges in a new land.

This week I re-air Part II of an interview I did with Fr. Hans Zollner, a German Jesuit, theologian and psychologist, because his work is necessary to understanding an important event that took place in Rome this week. In 2012, Fr. Zollner founded and was president of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Jesuit-run Gregorian University. In April 2021, that became the Institute of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care that he now directs. Fast forward to 2024. The Gregorian University annually holds what is known as the ISC, International Safeguarding Conference, sponsored by the Institute of Anthropology that Fr. Zollner founded. The 2024 conference, June 18 to 21, focused on Safeguarding and Disability, aiming at an approach that puts people with disabilities at the center of discussions,. In view of that conference, I felt it important to re-air my interview with Fr. Zollner about the work of the Institute of Anthropology.

This week and next in the interview segment, I will re-air an interview I did with Fr. Hans Zollner, a German Jesuit, theologian and psychologist as his work is necessary to understanding an important event that took place in Rome this week. In 2012, he founded and was president of the Center for Child Protection at Rome’s Jesuit-run Gregorian University. In April 2021, that became the Institute of Anthropology, Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care that he now directs. We talk about the Institute, the courses and degrees it offers and how dioceses around the world are adopting similar programs. Fast forward to 2024. The Gregorian University annually holds what is known as the ISC, International Safeguarding Conference, sponsored by the Institute of Anthropology that Fr. Zollner founded. The 2024 conference, June 18 to 21, focused on Safeguarding and Disability, aiming at an approach that puts people with disabilities at the center of discussions, addressing issues related to Safeguarding from

I have a return guest this weekend on Vatican Insider, Fr. Lawrence Carney of the diocese of Wichita, Kansas, known in the U.S. for his devotion to the Holy Face and his recent book, “The Secret of The Holy Face.” As you heard him tell us in Part I last weekend, after serving in the diocese for six years, he accepted the position as chaplain of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Gower, Missouri. There he was confessor to Sister Wilhemina, the African-American nun from Missouri who founded the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles. Her remains were discovered as possibly incorrupt in May 2023. We talk this week in Part II more about devotion to the Holy Face, the interior life, the League of St. Martin and much more! You can listen to that right after the news summary! Fr. Carney and I met through a common friend in South Dakota, who knows Father, and the head of the travel agency that brought Father, his parents and brother and others from around the U.S. to Rome on a pilgrimage. Ell

In the interview segment of Vatican Insider on this first weekend of June 2024, I reprise an earlier conversation with Fr. David Hulshof, director of Apostolic Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. This weekend is Part II. Part I aired last weekend There are a number of apostolates that are mandatory for all seminarians during their formation years such as working with the poor and homeless, with refugees, visiting patients in hospitals, being a guide in St. Peter’s Basilica and working in an Italian parish. Fr. David explains the apostolates offered at NAC, and you will revel in his passion and joy for the priesthood, the apostolates and especially for the current class of seminarians. And you will feel very positive about the future pastors of the Church in America! As the website of the North American College notes about these apostolates: In each of the five parishes, seminarians are teaching religious education, preparing children for the sacraments of the church, assisting at Ma

In the interview segment of Vatican Insider on this final weekend of May 2024, I reprise an earlier conversation with Fr. David Hulshof, director of Apostolic Formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

This Week, Vatican Insider visits Our Lady Of The Rosary Of Pompeii. May is the month of Mary and the month of the rosary and thus, a special time for such a wonderful story.

Welcome to Vatican Insider on what was a busy week in the Vatican with the swearing in of new Swiss Guards on May 6 and, on Thursday, May 9, the reading of the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year 2025 during a ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica. After the new highlights stay right here for a Q&A and then Part II of my conversation with Jacob Stein, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, who is working on his licentiate in dogmatic theology at Rome’s Angelicum University. He has a fascinating story and passion that you heard in Part I last week. We learn more about CRUX STATIONALIS this week and Jacob will tell us about his favorite station churches in Rome and talk about his apostolate as a member of a Roman Archconfraternity that helps the poor and needy and has a special devotion to care for pilgrims.

This week in the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I welcome Jacob Stein, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, who is working on his licentiate in dogmatic theology at the Angelicum in Rome. He has a fascinating story and passion and apostolate which he shares with us. That passion is called CRUX STATIONALIS and I am guessing many of you have seen his work on his website dedicated to that as well as what he has done for EWTN projects, ChurchPOP, etc. Jacob talks about how he came to Rome, his studies at the Angelicum, his favorite station churches and a special apostolate with a Roman Archconfraternity that helps the poor and needy and has a special devotion to care for pilgrims.

Welcome to Vatican Insider on this final weekend of April. I don’t know about you but I find it kind of scary how fast time flies! Tempus fugit, as my Mom used to say, especially at the end of summer vacation! In the interview segment this week, I feature Part II of my conversation with Michael Warsaw, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of EWTN. As you heard in Part I last week, we spoke when he was in Rome recently for the blessing of the new, additional EWTN office space. I reprise a little of that conversation by talking about the history of the EWTN Rome bureau, from a humble office in my home as the first bureau chief to the latest premises. Michael then goes on tell us about the future of EWTN. You will be amazed and delighted at what’s on the horizon!

Welcome to Vatican Insider on a special weekend here in the Eternal City. Sunday is April 21st and that is the Natale di Roma, the birthday of Rome. This year marks the 2,777th anniversary of the city’s legendary foundation by Romulus (of Romulus und Remus) on April 21, 753 BC! Lot of great events planned for Sunday! The interview segment this week on VI features a really special guest, Michael Warsaw, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of EWTN. We spoke when he was in Rome for the blessing of the newest EWTN offices. In Part I we talk about the history of the EWTN Rome bureau, from a humble office in my home as the first bureau chief to the large, beautiful new premises. Next week we will look at the future of EWTN.

This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I bring you on a pilgrimage with the Via Lucis! After the news segment and the Q&A on the Paschal candle, stay tuned for the special story about the Via Lucis, the Way of Light, basically a post-Easter journey through 14 stations of light, the light that fills our life because of the Resurrection. This devotion is also known as Stations of the Resurrection as it encourages the faithful to meditate on the Resurrection of Jesus and on his post-Resurrection appearances to the disciples and others. The 14 traditional stations of the Via Lucis are: Jesus Rises from the Dead-Matthew 28: 5-6 The Women Discover the Empty Tomb-Matthew 28:1-6 The Risen Lord Appears to Mary Magdalen-John 20:11-16 Mary Magdalen Proclaims the Resurrection the Apostles-John 20: 17-18 The Risen Lord Appears on the Road to Emmaus-Luke 24: 13-16, 25-27 The Risen Lord is Recognized in the Breaking of the Bread- Luke 24: 28-32 The Risen Lord Appears to the Commun

Welcome to Vatican Insider as we mark the three holy days of the Triduum and then the glorious news of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday. As we approach Easter weekend, I want to give you a heads-up about the Special I have prepared for the interview segment where I try to answer the question, “Who is the Man of the Shroud?” For decades, as worshipers gather around the world to commemorate Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. scientists have been studying the results of tests made on an object alleged to be directly connected with that passion.

I sincerely hope you can join me on “Vatican Insider” this Palm Sunday weekend and start of Holy Week as I share a very special story about a two-millennia old piece of cloth linked to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Known as the the Shroud of Turin, I try to answer the question, “Who is the Man of the Shroud?” For decades, as worshipers gather around the world to commemorate Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, scientists have been studying the results of tests made on an object alleged to be directly connected with that passion. The object of intense religious devotion as well as scientific curiosity is a simple strip of linen known as the Shroud of Turin. It has been venerated by Christians for centuries as the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus Christ in his tomb after his crucifixion and death.

This weekend, in what is normally the interview segment, I offer a mini-pilgrimage of sorts as we visit some of the Lenten Station churches in Rome, very special churches that tell a beautiful story over the 40 days of Lent, a story found only in Rome. I note at the start that, every year on Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, Popes process from the Benedictine church of Sant’Anselmo on the Aventine Hill to the nearby Dominican basilica of Santa Sabina, thus renewing a centuries-old Roman tradition of celebrating Mass at what are known here as Lenten station or stational churches.

This week in Part II of the interview segment, I again feature two amazing men, two friends, Craig Johring and Danny Leger, who are truly doing the Lord’s work of caring for the least of our brethren through HOPE OF THE POOR, an amazing organization they co-founded in Nebraska with headquarters in Omaha and Mexico City. The motto is “Alleviating the poverty of being unloved.” You will hear Craig and Danny tell absolutely riveting tales of the poorest of the poor whom they try to help in many ways, especially by giving them a sense of their worth and dignity. I spoke to Craig last year on Vatican Insider and Danny joined him on this visit to Rome and in this interview for VI. They speak of their work in Mexico and the U.S. and then share with us why the exciting reasons why they were in Rome. We met midway during their Rome visit after Mass at St. Patrick’s on February 25.