The Vatican’s Bestseller

How the Vatican Guards Its Secrets

In this episode of Borgo Pio, hosts Maggie and Bob venture behind the Vatican’s famous walls to explore one of Rome’s most enduring mysteries: how the Holy See manages secrets, confidential documents, and the occasional headline-making leak. From the vast Apostolic Archive to the dramatic Vatileaks scandal, they uncover the delicate balance between discretion, transparency, and accountability in the world’s oldest continuously operating institution. Expect fascinating history, surprising real-life stories, and a few smiles along the way as they separate fact from fiction in the Vatican’s culture of confidentiality. Listen this other Borgo Pio episodes Why Papal Encyclicals Still Matter in 2026 [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/why-papal-encyclicals-still-matter?r=3reizv] A Papacy for a Saturated Age [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/a-papacy-for-a-saturated-age?r=3reizv] Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borgopio.substack.com [https://borgopio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Vatican’s Bestseller

In this episode, Maggie and Bob wander through the hidden world behind the Annuario Pontificio — the Vatican’s legendary annual directory packed with bishops, diplomats, dioceses, statistics and centuries of ecclesiastical memory. From the streets of Borgo Pio to the quiet offices where the Church documents itself line by line, they explore why this surprisingly fascinating book remains one of the Holy See’s most important — and most overlooked — publications. Listen also this episodes on Vatican daily life Shopping Behind the Vatican Walls [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/shopping-behind-the-vatican-walls?r=3reizv] English on the Rise in the Vatican [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/english-on-the-rise-in-the-vatican?r=3reizv] Letters to the Pope: Inside the World’s Smallest, Most Extraordinary Post Office [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/letters-to-the-pope-inside-the-worlds?r=3reizv] Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borgopio.substack.com [https://borgopio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Vatican Medals, Iran, and the Diplomatic Drama Nobody Expected

In this episode, Maggie and Bob dive into the unexpected diplomatic storm sparked by a Vatican medal awarded to Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See. What began as a routine papal tradition quickly became an international political controversy — and a fascinating lesson in how the Vatican uses ceremony, symbolism and centuries-old honors to navigate global diplomacy. From the Order of Pius IX to the mysterious hierarchy of papal decorations, Maggie and Bob unpack the history, the humor and the hidden power behind the Vatican’s medals. Other episodes on Vatican controversies Vatican Black Ink, White Smoke [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/vatican-black-ink-white-smoke?r=3reizv] The Carpet Controversy [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/the-carpet-controversy?r=3reizv] Palace vs. Hostel: Why Pope Leo Moved Out of Santa Marta [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/palace-vs-hostel-why-pope-leo-moved?r=3reizv] Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borgopio.substack.com [https://borgopio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Papal Encyclicals Still Matter in 2026

As the world awaits the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, Maggie and Bob dive into the surprising history, influence, and controversy surrounding papal encyclicals. From Rerum Novarum to Humanae Vitae, this episode explores how these Vatican texts have shaped politics, morality, and global debates far beyond the walls of Rome — and why reading the new encyclical before reacting to it may be more important than ever. Listen also this episodes on Vatican issues Miniature Diplomacy: Inside Papal Audiences [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/miniature-diplomacy-inside-papal?r=3reizv] A Papacy for a Saturated Age [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/a-papacy-for-a-saturated-age?r=3reizv] Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borgopio.substack.com [https://borgopio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Leo XIV’s First Year: Power in Quiet Leadership

In this episode, Maggie and Bob take a closer look at the first year of Pope Leo XIV—cutting through the noise of media speculation to focus on what he has actually said and done. They explore his restrained leadership style, his subtle institutional choices, and how, in just twelve months, he has emerged as a moral reference point well beyond the Catholic world. Listen also this other episodes on Pope Leo XIV way of governance A Papacy for a Saturated Age [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/a-papacy-for-a-saturated-age] The Consistory After the Jubilee: Leo XIV’s First Real Act as Pope [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/the-consistory-after-the-jubilee?r=3reizv] Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit borgopio.substack.com [https://borgopio.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]