This week on “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell take a look back at this year in Vatican news.

This year brought three risky papal trips to Iraq, Hungary and Slovakia, and Cyprus and Greece, all undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the meantime, Pope Francis’ health came into question when he underwent surgery on his colon in mid-July. Gerry recaps the pope’s trips and gives an update on his recovery.

Within the Vatican, the pope continued his reforming efforts: This year saw the opening of the first-ever Vatican trial of a cardinal for financial crimes, and Pope Francis opened the global “synod on synodality” in an effort to move the church toward greater collaboration between leadership and lay people.

Looking across the Atlantic, the pope stepped into the U.S. bishops’ debate around communion for pro-choice politicians, telling Gerry aboard the papal plane that he had never denied communion to anyone. Colleen and Gerry recap the story and look at where the Vatican would like to see the U.S. bishops go from here.

Links from the show:

Pope Francis in Iraq: Everything you need to know about the historic trip

What to expect from Pope Francis’ trip to Hungary and Slovakia

Pope Francis is about to visit Greece and Cyprus — and he’s expected to invite some 50 migrants to come to Rome

Pope Francis returns to Vatican 10 days after successful operation

In a historic first, a cardinal stood trial at the Vatican over involvement in a real estate scandal

Podcast: The Synod on Synodality will be an uphill battle — but it’s worth it

Debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians ends in a whimper at bishops’ meeting

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