Need ideas for Christmas gifts? In this episode, we take you inside the quiet, book-lined corners of the Vatican to explore a delightful question: what do popes read for pleasure? From dystopian classics to unexpected novels tucked between encyclicals, we uncover the stories behind the stories that shaped Francis, Benedict XVI, John Paul II — and now Leo XIV. With their trademark mix of curiosity, humor, and warmth, Maggie and Bob show that even the busiest men in white make time for a good book.

Want more about the Vatican? Take a look to this text posts:

The Pope’s New Portfolio

The Jubilee That’s Making Rome Reborn

How Real Estate Is Saving the Holy See

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