This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., filling in for Colleen Dulle, speaks with Gerard O’Connell about Pope Francis’ recent interview on Italian TV. In the interview, given on the eve of the U.S. presidential inauguration, the pope announced that by March he would appoint a woman to lead the Vatican City-State government. He also criticized President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans as a “disaster.”

Last week, the Biden administration announced that Cuba would release 553 political prisoners, and in return, the U.S. would remove Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism—a deal reportedly brokered by the Vatican. However, on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump reversed this decision reinstating Cuba’s status as a state sponsor of terrorismon his first day back in office. This reversal has jeopardized the agreement and raised concerns among the families of the prisoners who were set to be released.  

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Links for further reading

Pope Francis assures Donald Trump of his prayers, but says mass deportations would be a ‘disgrace’

Cuba to release 553 prisoners for Jubilee at Pope Francis’ request

Pope Francis falls, suffers bruise but no fractures

Pope Francis dissolves Peru-based Catholic movement after abuses uncovered by Vatican

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