Vatican Insider
Direct from the Eternal City, EWTN’s Joan Lewis speaks with Vatican officials and visitors about events affecting the Church and the world.
Episodes
Bishop Daniel Thomas pt1
After years of promising to visit Toledo, my trip to Ohio finally happened on September 20th, spending 9 wonderful days (as you read on my blog yesterday) with friends of many years and making a lot of new friends along the way!
Bishop Daniel Thomas and I have been friends since 1991 when we both worked in Rome at the Vatican, along with other American priests whom Pope John Paul had called to Ro
Bishop Emmanuel Badejo pts 1 & 2
My guest on Vatican Insider this weekend so let me remind you that my guest in the interview segment is again Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo, Nigeria. A friend of many years, we spoke when he was in Rome with fellow bishops of Nigeria for their ad limina visit. He is a positive, hopeful person as we speak more about the situation in the country – the persecution of Christians, the economic situatio
The Catacombs pt2
As you know, in recent weeks, for your travel and vacation time edification, I have been providing special reports on what is normally the interview segment of VI on what to see and do in and around Rome. This week is no different! In fact, I’m going to bring you to some of the most celebrated landmarks of Rome visited by millions of tourists – the amazing, mysterious, historical and yes, inspirin
The Catacombs pt 1
As you know, in recent weeks, for your travel and vacation time edification, I have been providing special reports on what is normally the interview segment of VI on what to see and do in and around Rome. This week is no different! In fact, I’m going to bring you to some of the most celebrated landmarks of Rome visited by millions of tourists – the amazing, mysterious, historical and yes, inspirin
Exploring the Vatican City State pt2
It’s summer and vacation time, of course, and in recent weeks, on what is normally the interview segment of VI, I’ve been providing glimpses into what one should see and how to visit various places in and around Rome: Castelgandolfo, the Vatican Observatory and look at how Italians celebrate the lazy, hazy days of August! Join us for this edition of Vatican Insider.
Exploring Vatican City State (Pt I)
It’s summer and vacation time, of course, and in recent weeks, on what is normally the interview segment of VI, I’ve been providing glimpses into what one should see and how to visit various places in and around Rome: Castelgandolfo, the Vatican Observatory and look at how Italians celebrate the lazy, hazy days of August! Join us for this edition of Vatican Insider.
Lazy Hazy Days of Ferragosto
Welcome to Vatican Insider on a weekend of scorching temperatures in much of the northern hemisphere of the world, with big time heatwaves in Europe and the United States!
And welcome to a special I’ve prepared for what is normally the interview segment of VI – I call it the lazy, hazy summer days of ferragosto – life in Italy in August which, of course, starts this weekend. You learn the origi
Scavi Special
Welcome to Vatican insider on a special weekend – special for me as I’m spending it in Castelgandolfo where, among other things, I intend to be at the Angelus on Sunday with Pope Leo who will be spending his last full day of vacation in the Apostolic Palace. He returns to Rome on Monday, July 27.
For the past several weeks, as you know, in the interview segment of VI, I’ve been offering specials
Castelgondolfo
I have been personally filled with joy since learning that Pope Leo will be spending some vacation time in the historic Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, the beautiful building constructed many centuries ago that overlooks Lake Albano and the town’s main square, Piazza de la Liberta, Liberty Square.
During Pope Leo’s weekly visits to Castelgandolfo over year the past year, he has actually been
Best of Vatican Observatory
Today, we revisit a piece Joan did on the Vatican Observatory. Enjoy the show!
St Agnes, Palliums and Baby Lambs
Welcome to Vatican Insider on another scorcher of a weekend in Italy and throughout Europe with temps in many places hitting triple digits. Yesterday on my blog, Joan’s Rome, I posted some links to some pretty amazing stories about the heatwave as well as something that might make you laugh – HUMOR DURING A HEATWAVE.
I want to tell you about the Special I’ve prepared for what is normally the inte
Vatican Insider 053026 Frank and Mary Frost Teilhard de Chardin pt 1
It was a very big and important week here, especially with the presentation on Monday May 25 of Pope Leo’s first encyclical Magnifica humanitas. I’ll look at that, of course, but now just a line about my special guests in the interview segment – Frank and Mary Frost, film producers whom I met not long ago in Rome at the screening of one of their premier documentaries “Teilhard, Visionary Scientist
Ashley and John Noronha pts 1 & 2
Anyone in Rome with even a remote link to the Church – people working in the Vatican, the Roman Curia, our seminary here in Rome, etc – will have at some point crossed paths with Ashley and John! They have wonderful individual stories but together, as a couple, their story is the Truth and Beauty Project. So tune in this weekend to learn about immersion in Truth and Beauty!
A SWISS GUARD, AN MBA, CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Welcome to Vatican Insider at an exciting time for Pope Leo as we follow him in Africa on his third international apostolic trip, traveling in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. He returns to Rome on April 23. After the news summary, stay tuned for my special guest this week in the interview segment – Andreas Widmer, an Associate Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship at CUA’s (th
A PILGRIMAGE WITH THE VIA LUCIS
This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I bring you on a pilgrimage with the Via Lucis! After the news segment, stay tuned for the special story about the Via Lucis, the Way of Light, basically a post-Easter journey through 14 stations of light, the light that fills our life because of the Resurrection.
THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA WITH BISHOP BADEJO (Pt1)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this Palm Sunday weekend. A beautiful, solemn Holy Week now awaits us – just a week away from the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior!
After the news highlights of the week, Nigeria came to us in Rome because my guest in the interview segment is Bishop Emmanul Badejo of Oyo, Nigeria, a friend of many years. My first interview with him was all ab
“HOPE OF THE POOR” OBEYING GOD’S COMMAND TO CARE FOR THE LEAST (PART II)
In this week’s interview segment, I share Part II of my conversation with two amazing men, Craig Johring and Danny Leger, who are truly doing the Lord’s work of caring for the least of our brethren through HOPE OF THE POOR.
“HOPE OF THE POOR” OBEYING GOD’S COMMAND TO CARE FOR THE LEAST (Pt1)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this Valentine’s Day weekend, half way through this 28-day month, the shortest month of the year! This weekend in the interview segment, I feature two amazing men, Craig Johring and Danny Leger, who are truly doing the Lord’s work of caring for the least of our brethren through “Hope Of The Poor”.
THE JOY OF THE CALL
in this week’s Vatican Insider American seminarians Patrick Ernst and Nicholas Monnin of the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana. Both are in their second year of studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. We met last fall over dinner at my home with their ordinary, Bishop Kevin Rhoades. (Originally aired on 2/16/24)
A FACT-FILLED, FUN-FILLED SPECIAL
In place of an interview segment this weekend on Vatican Insider, I’ve prepared a Special – a fact-filled, fun-filled feature I’m calling DID YOU KNOW THAT …? I’m going to focus on some interesting tidbits about St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ll look at the basilica’s dome, bronze markings on its floor and a statue of the apostle, saint and pope for whom the church is named. Join me!
CARDINAL NEWMAN’S IDEAS ON EDUCATION LIVE ON AT HIS NAMESAKE UNIVERSITY
Join me again this week on Vatican Insider for a very special treat when Kathleeen Jagger, president of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, returns to VI in Part II of our conversation as we further explore Newman University today. In particular, we talk about the mission of education as seen by Cardinal John Henry Newman, proclaimed last November 1st as Doctor of the Church and co-patron with S
A VISIT TO NEWMAN UNIVERSITY, NAMESAKE OF THE NEWEST DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Join me this week on Vatican Insider for a very special treat as my guest in the interview segment is Kathleeen Jagger, president of Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. We met when she was in Rome last November for the Jubilee of Education and for the November 1st declaration of Cardinal John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church and co-patron with St. Thomas Aquinas of the Church’s education m
1-11-26 - AMERICAN COUPLE MOVE TO ROME FOR A YEAR, SIGN UP AS JUBILEE VOLUNTEERS (PART II)
Welcome back to Vatican Insider on this second weekend of our brand NewYear! And what a week it was! Tuesday, January 6, the Church celebrated the feast of the Epiphany and the closing of the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s basilica, thus ending the Jubilee of Hope.
The American couple you met last week on the interview segment, Craig and Laura Schlattmann are my guests again this week in Part II
1-4-26 - AMERICAN COUPLE MOVE TO ROME FOR A YEAR, SIGN UP AS JUBILEE VOLUNTEERS
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this first weekend of our brand NewYear! My guests this weekend can tell you all you need to know about that door ad many other things linked to the 2025 Jubilee of Hope because they spent this past year in Rome. I’m talking about Craig and Laura Schlattmann, an American couple who came to Italy for a year as volunteers for the Jubilee of Hope and who are also active
JOHN PAUL II’S 1994 CHRISTMAS LETTER TO CHILDREN
As you’ll hear me say at the start of this Christmastime Special, I want to welcome you to Vatican Insider on this festive weekend between Christmas and San Silvestro, New Year’s Day! A time of rejoicing over the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and a time to look forward with hope to a New Year that often allows us to “start over.”
CHRISTMAS IN THE VATICAN AND ROME
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this final weekend of Advent! I know that in these days we’re all getting our homes ready for guests and shared meals and telling stories around a Christmas tree and Nativity scene but we are also getting ready, in a prayerful and joy-filled fashion, to welcome our Lord and Savior on December 25! Christmas is thus special and that is exactly what I offer you this we
THE CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION Pt 2
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this third weekend of Advent, when we mark Gaudete Sunday, a reminder of the joy that comes with the anticipation of Christ’s birth. Join me in the interview segment for Part II of my conversation with Patrick Reilly, a friend of many years and founder in 1993 of the Cardinal Newman Society.
THE CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION PT1
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this first weekend of December 2025. My guest in the interview segment is Patrick Reilly, a friend of many years and founder in 1993 of the Newman Society. We spoke when he was in Rome for the November 1 declaration by Pope Leo of Cardinal John Henry Newman as doctor of the Church.
THE KINGSHIP OF CHRIST PT II
In this edition of Vatican Insider we present the second part of The Kingship of Christ interview. My guests are Aidan Gallagher, head of EWTN Ireland, and Jesuit Fr. Bernard McCuckian, principal narrator of “The Kingship of Christ,” a documentary produced by EWTN Ireland. Other protagonists of this 4-part documentary on Christ the King that premiered November 18 in the Vatican’s filmoteca or film
The Kingship of Christ pt 1
Welcome to a new edition of Vatican Insider on this penultimate weekend in November!
My guests in the interview segment this weekend are Aidan Gallagher, head of EWTN Ireland, and Jesuit Fr. Bernard McCuckian, principal narrator of “The Kingship of Christ,” a documentary produced by EWTN Ireland.
Other protagonists of this 4-part documentary on Christ the King that premiered November 18 in the V
A PILGRIMAGE WITH LOURDES VOLUNTEERS (Pt 2)
In part II of our conversation, my special guests are Marlene Watkins, founder of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality – North American Volunteers, and Bishop Douglas Lucia of Syracuse, New York, who is the chaplain for the group. Don't miss on this special edition of Vatican Insider.
A PILGRIMAGE WITH LOURDES VOLUNTEERS (Pt 1)
My special guests this week in the interview segment are Marlene Watkins, founder of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality – North American Volunteers and Bishop Douglas Lucia of Syracuse, New York, who is the chaplain for the group. Join us!
A VISIT TO THE GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION PT2
Stay tuned for Part II of my conversation with Jesuit Fr. Thomas Merkel, president of the D.C.-based Gregorian University Foundation. This was established in 1972 with the aim of supporting Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University through raising much-needed funds for scholarships, academic chairs, libraries and capital improvements.
A VISIT TO THE GREGORIAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION PT1
Some big news stories this week to tell you about but now I want you to know that my guest in the interview segment is Fr. Thomas Merkel, president of the D.C.-based Gregorian University Foundation that was instituted in 1972 with the mission to support the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, through raising much-needed funds for scholarships, academic chairs, libraries and capital improveme
THE LIFE OF A JUBILEE YEAR VOLUNTEER
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this third weekend of October. Lots of events this week at the Vatican as you will hear in the opening news segment. After the news highlights, you’ll want to stay tuned for my weekly interview segment when my guest is Lisa Petrocelli, an American who spent a week in Rome as a volunteer for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
POPE LEO’S APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION DILEXI TE
This week, instead of an interview segment, I’ve prepared a Special on Pope Leo’s first magisterial document, his Apostolic Exhortation “Dilexi te – I have Loved You – that was presented Thursday, October 9 in the Vatican. Join us!
DEACON ANDY AND A MINISTRY TO NATIVE AMERICANS
I do have a very uplifting story in the interview segment of VI and my conversation with Deacon Andy Orosco of the diocese of San Bernardino in California. Andy is a Native American who works in the Native American Ministry in the diocese and tells a fascinating story about his ministry and his people. You will also hear from his wife Roseanne as both were in Rome recently for the Jubilee of Deac
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
I’m calling this segment INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW because I’m going to bring you some trivia, that is, some little known and often unusual facts about the Vatican – some fun stories about bells and flags and basilica floors. It might be trivia but it is not trivial! (Originally aired on 7/20/18)
ST. JOHN CANTIUS, THE STORY OF A CHICAGO PARISH
My guest this week in the interview segment of “Vatican Insider” is a longtime friend, Fr. Frank Phillips, former pastor for 30 years at Chicago’s well-known St. John Cantius Church. After a number of years, we met serendipitously over my vacation at a pre-investiture ceremony for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre that was held at St. John Cantius. (Originally aired on 10/14/22)
AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT CASTELGANDOLFO (PART II)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this mid-September weekend. I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here in Rome!
For the interview segment this weekend, please join me for Part II of a Special on the papal residence of Castelgandolfo and its centuries-long history where I look at the main palace and other buildings, the extensive land and magnificent gardens and the papal farm tha
CANONIZATION WEEKEND IN ROME AND A VISIT TO CASTELGANDOLFO
Welcome to Vatican Insider on a very important weekend for the Catholic Church and especially for young people everywhere! As you surely know, this Sunday, September 7, two young men, Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Piergiorgio Frassati, will be canonized by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square during Mass. In this week’s new segment, in addition to the top stories in the Vatican, I offer brief biographie
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ST. MONICA AND HER CELEBRATED SON, ST. AUGUSTINE
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this final weekend of August. Is summer really almost over! I have yet to go on vacation but that’s coming soon. No interview this weekend, rather, I’ve prepared a Special on the two very special saints we celebrated this week – St. Monica on August 27th and her famous son, St. Augustine, on the 28th. Join us!
THE CHILDREN’S ROSARY, GROWING AROUND THE WORLD
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this August weekend as summer winds down for so many people and schools are about to reopen or already have reopened in many cases. My guest in the interview segment this week is Dr. Blythe Kaufman, founder of the Children’s Rosary®, an International Prayer group movement for children. This week we look at how the Children’s Rosary has grown throughout the world and B
THE LAZY, HAZY DAYS OF AUGUST IN ROME
Welcome to Vatican Insider at this halfway mark of August. August might be the 8th month of the year for most people but for Italians, it is THE month of the year! It is the month of ferragosto – August holidays. In place of an interview segment this weekend, I have prepared a special I’ve called The Lazy, Hazy Days of August in Rome. I think you’ll get a kick out of it and learn a few things as w
AN AMERICAN ARTIST, A MOSAIC AND A MILLENNIAL SAINT (Pt 2)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on a quiet August weekend – at least in Italy as August is the month of the so-called Great Exodus when Italians leave big cities, small towns and everywhere in between for some vacation time at a summer home in the mountains or at the seashore. Be sure to stay tuned after the news report for the interview segment and Part II of my conversation with Johnny Vrba, creator
AN AMERICAN ARTIST, A MOSAIC AND A MILLENNIAL SAINT
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this exciting weekend in Rome when the Jubilee of Youth that started July 28 continues with a vigil Saturday night and a Mass on Sunday on the Tor Vergata esplanade to conclude the weeklong event.
My young guest in the interview segment is Johnny Vrba, creator of the now-famous 1000-piece mosaic that depicts the future Saint Carlo Acutis. He spent some days in Rome du
ST. ANNE, MOTHER TO MARY, GRANDMOTHER TO JESUS
Welcome to Vatican Insider on the weekend that precedes the arrival in Rome of half a million youth from over 140 countries to celebrate the weeklong Jubilee of Youth that starts Monday, July 28! Exciting days ahead, for sure! And an exciting Special report this weekend in what is normally the interview segment of VI. I prepared a Special program because this is such a special weekend! Saturday is
A CONVERSATION WITH JONATHAN ROUMIE PART 2
In Part II of our conversation, we talk about the years of filming The Chosen, how he was chosen for his role as Jesus, and the extraordinary time spent in Matera for the Crucifixion. Jonathan explains when and how that season will air. I asked if he felt this role had changed him in any way over all these years of filming? I also asked an almost impossible question to answer: Did he have a favori
A CONVERSATION WITH JONATHAN ROUMIE PART 1
This week and next, Jonathan talks about how he and the cast rejoiced over meeting a fellow American, Pope Leo XIV, and he also offered a perceptive analysis of the new Pope. We talk about the years of filming The Chosen, how he was chosen for his role as Jesus, and the time spent in Matera. I asked if he felt this role had changed him in any way over all these years of filming? I also asked an al
BEHIND THE SCENES OF “THE CHOSEN” PT2
This week we continue with the second part of the interview of 3 amazing cast members of the TV series, THE CHOSEN – Vanessa Benavente Mother Mary, Elizabeth Tabish -Mary Magdalen and George Xanthus as John The Apostle as they visited Rome after filming the Crucifixion and Season 6 in Matera, Italy. Join us for Vatican Insider!
BEHIND THE SCENES OF “THE CHOSEN” PT1
This week I was blessed to interview 3 amazing cast members of the TV series, THE CHOSEN – Vanessa Benavente Mother Mary, Elizabeth Tabish -Mary Magdalen and George Xanthus as John The Apostle as they visited Rome after filming the Crucifixion and Season 6 in Matera, Italy. Join us for Vatican Insider!
VATICAN INSIDER CELEBRATES CGA, CATHOLIC GRANDPARENTS ASSOCIATION (PT2)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on another hot summer weekend in Rome and so many parts of the world! Relax, enjoy a cool drink and let me bring you the news and a great interview!
After the news segment, stay tuned for Part II of my conversation with Catherine Wiley and Marilyn Henry of the Catholic Grandparents Association as we continue our talk about the first international conference that CGA rece
VATICAN INSIDER CELEBRATES CGA, CATHOLIC GRANDPARENTS ASSOCIATION
Welcome to Vatican Insider on another exciting Jubilee weekend in a very hot Rome – the Jubilee of Sports with a lot of events in the agenda including the Mass on Sunday the 15th celebrated by Pope Leo XIV, a Pope who likes sports, and has played tennis, and is a fan of his native Chicago’s baseball team, the White Sox. In fact, he was given a White Sox baseball cap at the Wednesday general audien
MSGR. ROGER LANDRY: A PRIEST FOR ALL SEASONS (PT. 2)
Please join me this weekend in the interview segment of Vatican Insider for Part II of my conversation with my very special friend and guest, Msgr. Roger Landry! If you watched EWTN television at any time (probably most of the time) from April 21st when Pope Francis died – you know Msgr. Roger Landry, one third of the team that covered the big events recently at the Vatican that culminated in the
MSGR. ROGER LANDRY: A PRIEST FOR ALL SEASONS (PT. 1)
What a guest I have for you this week on Vatican Insider in the interview segment! If you’ve watched EWTN television at any time this month – and very likely most every day since April 21st when Pope Francis died – you know Msgr. Roger Landry, one third of the team that covered the big events at the Vatican this past month, culminating in the May 8 election of Pope Leo XIV.
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF POMPEII
Welcome to Vatican Insider on another historic weekend – the second with our new Holy Father, American-born Augustinian, Pope Leo XIV. In fact, the inaugural Mass of his pontificate takes place on Sunday, May 18 in St. Peter’s Square. St. John Paul’s birthday was May 18 – he would have been 105!
This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I’ve prepared a Special on the
VATICAN INSIDER: AN AMERICAN COUPLE, IMMERSION IN TRUTH AND BEAUTY (PT2)
Habemus Papam! History! A miracle! The first ever Pope, Successor to St Peter, Vicar of Christ, from The United States!
Also, a word about my guests in the second part of my interview segment this week: two friends who have been in Rome for many years, John and Ashley Noronha. Anyone in Rome with even a remote link to the Church – people working in the Vatican, the Roman Curia, our seminary here i
AN AMERICAN COUPLE, IMMERSION IN TRUTH AND BEAUTY (PT1)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this second weekend without a Pope! Such a strange feeling! Most of VI’s news segment this week will, of course, be dedicated to this period known as the sede vacante – the vacant see – from which we get our word vacancy! Another word is interregnum – the period between two reigning pontiffs.
First, a word about my guests in the interview segment this week: two friend
VIA LUCIS
This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I bring you on a pilgrimage with the Via Lucis!
After the news segment and the Q&A on the Paschal candle, stay tuned for the special story about the Via Lucis, the Way of Light, basically a post-Easter journey through 14 stations of light, the light that fills our life because of the Resurrection.
This devotion is also know
Who Is the Man of the Shroud? Pt 2
In the interview segment this weekend, I present Part II of a Special I‘ve prepared on a piece of cloth linked to the Resurrection, a piece of linen called the Shroud of Turin that many believe to be the cloth that wrapped the body of Christ in the tomb.
Who Is the Man of the Shroud? Pt 1
Greetings from Rome on this Palm Sunday weekend! Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, that extraordinarily solemn time of the year leading up to the Easter of the Resurrection. In the interview segment this weekend, I present Part I of a Special I ‘ve prepared on a piece of cloth linked to the Resurrection, a piece of linen called the Shroud of Turin that many believe to be the cloth that wrapped
Commemorating Pope St. John Paul 20 Years After His Death
On April 2 we marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope St. John Paul at 9:37 pm on April 2, 2005, vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, the new name given to the Second Sunday of Easter by John Paul! To commemorate that day and those years I have prepared a special about a man – a priest, a pope and a saint. It is about a life and legacy, seen through my memories and those of Cardinal Pietro Parol
The Holy House of Loretto
On Tuesday, March 25, we marked one of most important feast days of the Church, the Annunciation, the day when Mary said ‘Yes’ to the Angel Gabriel – thus to God’s plan for her life – and the Word was made flesh, and our Redeemer was conceived – the one whose passion, death and Resurrection we will commemorate in Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
I mention this because this week, instead of an intervie
A Pilgrimage to Rome's Lenten Station Churches
Thanks for tuning in to Vatican Insider on this thrd weekend of Lent. Instead of a guest this weekend in the interview segment, I’m airing a special I’ve prepared on a Lenten tradition that is unique to Rome – the Lenten station churches. I offer a mini-pilgrimage of sorts as we visit some of the Station churches in Rome, very special churches that tell a beautiful story over the 40 days of Lent,
Dcn Andy Orosco Pt2
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this second weekend of Lent 2025! Challenging times at the Vatican so there’s a lot of news this week but I do have a very uplifting story in the interview segment of VI and my conversation with Deacon Andy Orosco of the diocese of San Bernardino in California. As you heard in Part I of our conversation last week, Andy is a Native American who works in the Native Amer
Deacon Andy, A Native American with a Very Special Ministry (Pt 1)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this second weekend of March and the first days of Lent 2025! Challenging times at the Vatican so there’s a lot of news this week but I do have a very uplifting story in the interview segment of VI and my conversation with Deacon Andy Orosco of the diocese of San Bernardino in California.
Andy is a Native American who works in the Native American Ministry in the dioce
Best of: Shrine of Pompeii
This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I’ve prepared a Special on the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, just south of Naples. Why this shrine this week? Well, just this week Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree of canonization of Blessed Bartolo Longo who founded this shrine in the 19th century.
Bartolo Longo’s life story
Pax Invictus: Life and Legacy of Cardinal George Pell (Pt. 2)
Welcome to Vatican Insider! After this week’s news report, you will not want to miss the interview segment and Part II of my conversation with Tess Livingstone, veteran Australian journalist, as we talk about her latest best seller, “Pax Invictus,” on the life, times and legacy of the late, great Australian Cardinal George Pell.
Pax Invictus: Life and Legacy of Cardinal George Pell
Welcome to Vatican Insider at this midpoint in February, the shortest month of the year! And Happy Valentine’s Day!
After this week’s news report and Q&A, you will not want to miss the interview segment and my conversation with Tess Livingstone, veteran Australian journalist, as we talk about her latest best seller, “Pax Invictus,” on the life, times and legacy of the late, great Australian Cardin
The Life of a Pastor Pt2
Welcome back to Part II of my conversation with Fr. Ryan Brady, a priest and dear friend from Chicago, who talks with great beauty and profound love about his priesthood and where life has taken him since his May 2021 ordination.
We spoke recently when he was in Rome on a Jubilee Year visit with the Chicago Chapter of the PAVM, Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. We talk about that visit,
The Life of a Pastor (Pt I)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on this first weekend of February 2025! I have a great story for you this week and next when my guest in the interview segment, Fr. Ryan Brady, a priest and dear friend from Chicago, talks about his priesthood and where life has taken him since his May 2021 ordination.
ReAir Alveda King
Don’t forget to tune in to Vatican Insider this last weekend of January, a weekend after the March for Life in Washington, D.C. My guest in the interview segment is Alveda King, a prominent figure on pro-life issues, and the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. This holiday was signed into law by President
Fr. Ed Linton on Why Priest Need Continuing Theological Education (Pt 2)
Welcome to Vatican Insider on a weekend that precedes a presidential inauguration, Martin Luther King Day and the football game between Notre Dame and Ohio that will determine the US collegiate football championship!
The news segment starts in a moment and after that, stay right here for Part II of my conversation with Benedictine Fr. Edward Linton, Director of the Institute for Continuing Theolog
Patrick Ernst and Nicholas Monnin
This week, we revisit my interview with American seminarians Patrick Ernst and Nicholas Monnin of the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana. These remarkable young men talk of their call to the priesthood – how they heard ‘the call’, what they expect of priesthood but most importantly, the very joy they feel at the mere idea of being a priest! They talk of some of the highlights of living i
Fr. Ed Linton on Why Priest Need Continuing Theological Education
I want to welcome you this weekend to the first edition of Vatican Insider in this New Year, in this 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. May it be a wonderful happy, hope-filled year for all of you!
As usual, at the start of VI, you’ll hear lots of news highlights and then you’ll meet my special guest in the interview segment…Fr. Edward Linton, the Director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Educa
The Nativity Scene, Centerpiece of Christmas in Rome
I hope and pray that each one of you had a beautiful and blessed Christmas, marked by meaningful liturgies and many happy moments with family and friends. My days were full and delightfully happy, filled with wonderful memories.
Merry Christmas from Joan Lewis
In this weekend’s pre-Christmas edition of Vatican Insider, instead of an interview, I present a fun Special on Christmas and New Year, how both are celebrated in the Vatican and in Rome. Some interesting history, color and traditions are included in this report. So, gather around for a Christmas Story a la Italiana, and be sure to include the young ones!
A Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Loreto
In the interview segment of “Vatican Insider” this weekend, just days after the December 10 feast of Our Lady of Loreto, I present a Special on the stunning Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto on Italy’s Adriatic Coast. You will be enchanted by the story of this beautiful and historic shrine. This and more in today's Vatican Insider with Joan Lewis.
The Synod On Synodality and the Immaculate Conception
This week, in what is normally the interview segment of Vatican Insider, I offer a special report on the recently completed, 3-year-long Synod on Synodality in which I present what several U.S. prelates attending the synod had to say about that experience from pieces they wrote, press conferences they spoke at, or interviews they gave to the media. This and much more in today's edition of Vatican
Relections, Personal and Papal, on the Meaning of Thanksgiving
Instead of a guest interview this week, I offer a two-pronged special on Thanksgiving, my own thoughts on how I am thankful for God’s multitude of blessings in my life, and then a very special reflection by Pope Francis on the meaning of Thanksgiving.
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