Borgo Pio Podcast

In this episode of Borgo Pio , Maggie and Bob take us behind the solemn walls of the Vatican and into the surprisingly human world of papal hobbies. From popes who climbed mountains and played sports to those who found peace in music—and one very modern pope who starts his day with Wordle— the conversation blends history, humor, and a reminder that even the successors of Peter need a little playti...

What happens when a Pope returns to a town that spent more than a decade without him? In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore how Pope Leo XIV's decision to revive the tradition of staying in Castel Gandolfo is reshaping the local economy, restoring a centuries-old rhythm of pilgrimage, and breathing new life into the papacy's historic summer residence. From cafés and hotels to the future of the P...

Will the planned episcopal consecrations by the Society of St. Pius X trigger a new schism in the Catholic Church? In this episode, hosts Maggie and Bob explore the history behind the conflict, the Vatican’s response, and why moments of tension and division have accompanied the Church since apostolic times. They discuss what is really at stake, what previous schisms can teach us, and why many Cath...

In this episode of Borgo Pio, Maggie and Bob take listeners inside the hidden corridors of Vatican power to explore the lives of the cardinals of the Roman Curia. Beyond the spectacle of papal elections, these influential churchmen help shape global diplomacy, Catholic doctrine, and the governance of a faith followed by more than 1.4 billion people. From their daily routines in Rome to their influ...

In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore why the Church’s social doctrine may be more relevant today than at any point since Rerum Novarum . They discuss Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas , the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and why Catholic Social Teaching continues to frustrate both the political left and the political right. Listen also this episodes Why Papal Encyc...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 wh...

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 vi...

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...

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...

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 C...

In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore the hidden mechanics of Vatican diplomacy—one of the oldest diplomatic systems in the world. From the role of the Secretary of State to the global network of apostolic nunciatures, they unpack how the Holy See navigates modern conflicts while projecting moral authority on the international stage, and why its carefully measured words about war and peace still...

As the spotlight turns toward the glamour of the Oscars, this episode explores a lesser-known but fascinating crossroads: the relationship between cinema and the Vatican. From grand epics to intimate papal dramas, the Church has inspired stories that have shaped the silver screen for decades. Join hosts Maggie and Bob as they dive into the history, the myths, the masterpieces — and a few surprisin...

In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore how the Vatican is expanding the role of lay professionals in its governance while staying rooted in canon law and tradition. With clarity, context, and a touch of wit, they unpack what’s changing, what isn’t, and why it matters now. Listen also this episodes on working for the Vatican. How to Land a Job in the Vatican (Yes, Really) English on the Rise in th...

In today’s episode, hosts Maggie and Bob explore the emerging communication style of Pope Leo XIV — a papacy that speaks not only through words but through rhythm, presence, and symbol. From his quiet weekly retreat to Castel Gandolfo to his unscripted encounters with journalists, the pope is shaping a language of leadership that blends tradition, accessibility, and deliberate silence. It’s a conv...

In this episode, Maggie and Bob explore the significance of the upcoming leadership vote of the German Bishops’ Conference, explaining how the future direction of the Church in Germany is closely watched in Rome. They discuss the tensions surrounding the Synodal Way, the concerns about unity within the universal Church, and why the perspective of Pope Leo XIV emphasizes dialogue and communion. Wit...

This Valentine’s Day, Maggie and Bob invite you to trade the usual chocolates and roses for something a little more eternal. In this episode, they dive into the romantic — and often misunderstood — world of love, marriage, and the Vatican, mixing history, surprising facts, and a healthy dose of humor. From papal blessings to legendary Vatican weddings, our hosts explore how faith, tradition, and r...

As the Winter Olympics light up screens once again, Maggie and Bob—your hosts at the Borgo Pio Podcast —settle into their usual corner near the Vatican to do what they’ve perfected over the years: talk sports with conviction, curiosity, and a touch of holy irreverence. Between curling stones, figure-skating loops, and beers shared with the locals, they explore a question that resurfaces every four...

In this episode, Maggie and Bob sit down to untangle one of the most complicated — and revealing — legal sagas the Vatican has ever faced. With their trademark mix of clarity, curiosity, and a touch of irreverent respect, they walk listeners through the Becciu case, explaining why what looks like an internal Church affair has become a stress test for Vatican justice itself. It’s not just about one...

This week Maggie and Bob explore a growing clash between Silicon Valley’s gospel of speed and disruption and a radically different question coming from Rome: not what can we build? but what should we become? In case you miss them listen also: 19,000 Churches Burned: The Crisis Nobody Wants to See Vatican Black Ink, White Smoke Behind St. Peter’s Dome 2025 Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to...

When Maggie first read that more than 19,000 churches had been burned in Nigeria, she thought it had to be a mistake; Bob, scrolling through headlines filled with celebrity scandals and market news, realized he had never seen that number before. In this episode, the Borgo Pio’s hosts confront a crisis that rarely makes front-page news but deeply unsettles the Vatican, precisely because it unfolds...