On a crisp April morning in 799, Pope Leo III walked through the streets of Rome leading a religious procession when armed men suddenly burst from the crowd, threw him to the ground, and attempted to gouge out his eyes and slice off his tongue. This brutal assault left Leo bleeding and unconscious, but it would paradoxically lead to the greatest expansion of papal authority in centuries. This episode explores how personal attack became political transformation, setting the stage for the creation of the Holy Roman Empire.

Madonna has penned an emotional appeal to Pope Leo, urging the religious leader to make a pastoral journey to Gaza amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The pop superstar shared her plea through social media on Monday, as the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas continues to escalate.
In her open letter, Madonna wrote, "Your Holiness, I implore you to travel to Gaza and offer hope to the suffering children while there is still time. As someone who has raised children, witnessing their anguish is unbearable. Every child on this earth deserves our protection. You possess a unique authority that transcends political boundaries."

The entertainer emphasized the critical need for expanded humanitarian access, declaring, "The gates of mercy must swing wide open to rescue these vulnerable young souls. Time is running short. I beg you to commit to this mission."

Pope Leo XIV just topped global popularity polls while receiving epic pizza deliveries at the Vatican! Discover how America's first pope became the world's most beloved leader with a staggering 57% approval rating, crushing everyone from Elon Musk to world politicians. This episode dives deep into the incredible story of how devoted Catholics smuggled his favorite Aurelio's deep-dish pizza from Chicago to Rome, surviving van breakdowns, TSA drama, and a dramatic rescue from a Roman trash can. This former Peru missionary resonates with millions, from blessing Pokemon cards to hosting record-breaking youth gatherings, while maintaining his love for hometown comfort food. 


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Mario Reyes, a thirty seven year old barber from Ica, Peru, has been working near the Vatican walls for three years. His barbershop computer contains client records, and among his regular customers was someone listed simply as Robert Francis Prevost.



Become a premium subscriber! (no ads and no feed drops). For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. You also get 25+ other series from comedy to paranormal, royals, romance, trivia, politics, movies, music, murder, sports, travel, religion, spirituality, celebrity gossip and feuds, consisting of THOUSANDS OF SHOWS AD-FREE! (it’s only $4.99 a month with a free-trial month) PLUS, subscribers get offers like early show releases and subscriber-only shows. Go to Caloroga.com for all our shows!

As Christianity became the empire's favored religion, theological debates took on political dimensions. This episode explores how popes from Julius I to Damasus I navigated the Arian controversy that divided the 4th-century church while developing more explicit theories of Roman primacy. The imprisoned Pope Liberius, the violent election of Damasus, and the emerging concept of papal decretals reveal how doctrinal conflicts shaped institutional authority in lasting ways as the papacy claimed both theological leadership and administrative power.


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Turns out Pope Leo is a classically trained pianist with a taste for Bartók. We learn about his musical past, his remarkable high school years, and his deeply moving genealogy session with Henry Louis Gates Jr., which revealed distant ties to Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, and even Hillary Clinton. Later, artisans prepare to add Pope Leo’s mosaic to the legendary portrait wall at Saint Paul Outside the Walls—reviving an ancient end-times superstition.Portions of this program were made with the help of AI. While no one truly knows what happens behind closed doors, we've tried our best to capture the story, taking dramatic license when necessary to create this entertainment series based on true events.



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When Constantine saw his vision at the Milvian Bridge in 312 CE, the papacy stood at history's hinge. This episode examines how Popes Miltiades and Silvester navigated Christianity's sudden transformation from persecuted sect to imperial partner. Physical spaces evolved from hidden house churches to magnificent basilicas, while papal authority adapted to unprecedented imperial favor. The revolutionary changes of this period created both opportunities and compromises that would shape the institution for centuries to come.

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A remarkable gift from Cardinal Cupich to Paul Konerko highlights the surprising bond between the 2005 White Sox and Pope Leo, who attended Game 1 of the World Series as a fan. Plus, we explore the Chicago-made vestments the pope wore for his inaugural Mass for environmental stewardship. Later, Pope Leo leads the Angelus from Castel Gandolfo for the first time in twelve years, delivering a passionate call for a “revolution of love.”Portions of this program were made with the help of AI. While no one truly knows what happens behind closed doors, we've tried our best to capture the story, taking dramatic license when necessary to create this entertainment series based on true events.



Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visitcaloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!