Borgo Pio Podcast

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

A Papacy for a Saturated Age

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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

English on the Rise in the Vatican

Letters to the Pope: Inside the World’s Smallest, Most Extraordinary Post Office

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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

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

The Carpet Controversy

Palace vs. Hostel: Why Pope Leo Moved Out of Santa Marta

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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

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

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

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

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

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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

With clarity, nuance, and a touch of theatrical flair, Maggie and Bob guide listeners through a story where law, power, and truth collide. In this episode, Maggie and Bob take you inside the dramatic reopening of the Vatican’s most high-profile financial trial: the Becciu case. From the controversial London property deal to the collapse of the original verdict over procedural flaws, they unpack what really happened, why the trial must start again, and what this means for justice inside the Church.

More episodes on this scandal.

The Vatican case that refuses to stay quiet

Justice and Pope Leo Crossroads

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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

In this episode, Maggie and Bob follow the journey of Pope Leo XIV across Africa—but look beyond the headlines to what remains when the cameras leave. In places like Cameroon, Angola, Algeria, and Equatorial Guinea, where global attention flickers and fades, the Catholic Church stays: running schools, staffing clinics, feeding communities, and quietly holding the line. Through sharp insight and vivid storytelling, Maggie and Bob uncover the vast humanitarian network that doesn’t make breaking news—but endures long after it.

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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

In this episode, Maggie and Bob take us inside one of the most unusual financial launches of recent years: the Vatican’s entry into the world of stock market indexes. With their signature mix of clarity and dry humor, they unpack what these “Catholic principles” benchmarks actually invest in, how they’ve performed so far, and why some of the world’s biggest tech companies have found their way into a morally filtered portfolio.

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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

In this episode of Borgo Pio, Maggie and Bob take a thoughtful look at the controversy surrounding Anthropic and its tensions with the government of the United States, set against the backdrop of growing conflict with Iran. Moving beyond headlines about geopolitics and energy, they explore a deeper question raised for years by Pope Francis and now by Pope Leo XIV: what happens when machines begin to take on decisions that carry moral weight? It’s a conversation about technology, responsibility, and why the often-overlooked voice of the Vatican may be more relevant than ever.

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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

In this episode of Borgo Pio, hosts Maggie and Bon take listeners behind the closed doors of the Vatican to explore one of its most discreet yet powerful traditions: the papal audience. Through vivid storytelling and real examples from the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, they uncover how these intimate meetings—often lasting less than an hour—can influence international relations, resolve internal Church matters, and create moments of profound historical significance.

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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