Join hosts Maggie and Bob as they step behind the scenes of the Vatican to uncover the fascinating story of the Fabbrica di San Pietro. From five centuries of extraordinary craftsmanship to the unique School of Arts and Crafts training a new generation of stonemasons, mosaicists, carpenters and blacksmiths, this episode explores the people whose skilled hands quietly preserve one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces—one stone, one mosaic, and one tradition at a time.

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Inside the Vatican’s Intellectual Machine: The Pontifical Academies Explained

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

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Join hosts Maggie and Bob as they step beyond the public image of the Vatican to uncover the remarkable people who keep one of the world’s oldest institutions running. In this episode, they explore the lives of key keepers, Latin scholars, astronomers, archivists, master craftsmen and other little-known professionals whose work quietly preserves centuries of history, faith and culture. It’s a fascinating journey into the hidden workforce behind St. Peter’s Basilica and the Holy See.

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Inside the Vatican’s Intellectual Machine: The Pontifical Academies Explained

Popes, Pastimes, and a Five-Letter Word

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In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore one of the Vatican’s least-known worlds: the Pontifical Academies. Behind the walls of Vatican City, Nobel Prize winners, scientists, philosophers, historians, and theologians gather to debate questions that reach far beyond the Church. From Galileo’s complicated legacy to modern bioethics, artificial intelligence, and the controversies surrounding the Pontifical Academy for Life, Maggie and Bob uncover the hidden intellectual network helping the Vatican think about the future.

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In this episode, hosts Maggie and Bob explore one of the most overlooked stories unfolding inside the Vatican. While much of the world’s attention focuses on the Pope, a quieter transformation is taking place behind the scenes. They discuss how Pope Leo XIV is building on recent reforms, why lay professionals are playing an increasingly important role in Vatican governance, and what these gradual changes could mean for the future of the Holy See.

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In this episode of Borgo Pio, Maggie and Bob take us behind the solemn walls of the Vatican and into the surprisingly human world of papal hobbies. From popes who climbed mountains and played sports to those who found peace in music—and one very modern pope who starts his day with Wordle— the conversation blends history, humor, and a reminder that even the successors of Peter need a little playtime.

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Holy Neighbors

English on the Rise in the Vatican

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What happens when a Pope returns to a town that spent more than a decade without him? In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore how Pope Leo XIV's decision to revive the tradition of staying in Castel Gandolfo is reshaping the local economy, restoring a centuries-old rhythm of pilgrimage, and breathing new life into the papacy's historic summer residence. From cafés and hotels to the future of the Palace, they examine why the Pope's presence matters far beyond symbolism—and why one small town overlooking Lake Albano has suddenly become one of the most fascinating stories in the Catholic world.

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The Vatican’s Bestseller

A Papacy for a Saturated Age

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Will the planned episcopal consecrations by the Society of St. Pius X trigger a new schism in the Catholic Church? In this episode, hosts Maggie and Bob explore the history behind the conflict, the Vatican’s response, and why moments of tension and division have accompanied the Church since apostolic times. They discuss what is really at stake, what previous schisms can teach us, and why many Catholics see this moment as both painful and strangely familiar.

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Catholic Social Teaching and the AI Revolution

Leo XIV’s First Year: Power in Quiet Leadership

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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.

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How the Vatican Guards Its Secrets

The Consistory After the Jubilee: Leo XIV’s First Real Act as Pope

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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.

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Why Papal Encyclicals Still Matter in 2026

The problem is not the gas price

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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.

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Why Papal Encyclicals Still Matter in 2026

A Papacy for a Saturated Age

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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