Tue, Apr 2, 2024
Actual Pope Francis is remodeling the Roman Curia, the central governing body of the church, based in Vatican City. He has repeatedly pointed out the Curia's shortcomings, and is being considered by many as too radical. The episode focuses on the complexity of the papacy and examines to what extent the person behind the cassock gets affected by the duty. The current papacy is the lead-in to the story of the post-war popes.
Tue, Apr 9, 2024
In 2013, in the wake of the revealing Vatileaks scandal, newly appointed Pope Francis put in place three mechanisms to secure transparent financial management. Now, many years later Pope Francis, informed about a revealing article that points out how powerful cardinal Angelo Becciu supposedly embezzled money from the Vatican's Secretariat of State, has the cardinal resign from his office and makes may for an unprecedented Vatican trial.
Tue, Apr 16, 2024
Unlike in the Anglican, Lutheran and Protestant Church, only men can be ordained a priest in the Catholic Church. For more than 2000 years, women have awaited their chance to become a priest. However, the Vatican remains unyielding in its refusal. How is pope Francis, in his bid to have more women in the decision-making process, clearing the way for them? And how likely are women priests in the future?
Tue, Apr 23, 2024
Global scandals of clergy sexual abuse are still met with growing outrage at the lax response from local clergy and the Vatican. The episode zooms in on French cardinal Barbarin's supposed covering up of sexual abuse by a local priest as well as Italian survivor Francesco Zanardi, who has undertaken a personal crusade against the Vatican. In addition to the Vatican's struggle with files of sexual abuse, this episode highlights the Church's rigid sexual morality, particularly its attitude toward homosexuality.
Tue, Apr 30, 2024
This episode digs into the foundations of faith. Roman clergy and lay people offer an unprecedented insight in their belief and doubts. Through the eyes of Western European missionaries, we shift our glance from secularized Western Europe to the Democratic Republic of Congo to experience how the gospel is lived among the highly catholic population.
Tue, May 7, 2024
Pope Francis is preparing a highly anticipated visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where no pope has set foot since 1985. More and more priests from vibrant Catholic areas, such as the Congo, are migrating to Western Europe to fill in for the sharply declining number of native priests. In this final episode high-ranking Vatican clergymen and lay observers reflect upon the Church's united future and how pope Francis is shaping it.