The Men Behind the Pope: Inside the World of Vatican Cardinals

The Men Behind the Pope: Inside the World of Vatican Cardinals

In this episode of Borgo Pio, Maggie and Bob take listeners inside the hidden corridors of Vatican power to explore the lives of the cardinals of the Roman Curia. Beyond the spectacle of papal elections, these influential churchmen help shape global diplomacy, Catholic doctrine, and the governance of a faith followed by more than 1.4 billion people. From their daily routines in Rome to their influence on world affairs, Maggie and Bob uncover the realities, responsibilities, and quiet power of the men who stand closest to the Pope. Listen also this episodes How the Vatican Guards Its Secrets [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/how-the-vatican-guards-its-secrets?r=3reizv] 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]

Catholic Social Teaching and the AI Revolution

In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore why the Church’s social doctrine may be more relevant today than at any point since Rerum Novarum. They discuss Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and why Catholic Social Teaching continues to frustrate both the political left and the political right. Listen also this episodes Why Papal Encyclicals Still Matter in 2026 [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/why-papal-encyclicals-still-matter?r=3reizv] The problem is not the gas price [https://borgopio.substack.com/p/the-problem-is-not-the-gas-price?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]

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]