Marco Rubio’s Vatican visit, explained | Inside the Vatican podcast

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This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerard O’Connell and Colleen Dulle discuss U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Pope Leo XIV, along with recent developments between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X, which has committed to illicitly ordain bishops without the Vatican’s approval. In the second part of the show, Colleen and Gerry look at the pope’s visits to Pompeii and Naples, and Gerry explains why he thinks Pope Leo’s forthcoming encyclical won’t be published as expected on May 15. ***** Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:15 New developments between Vatican and SSPX 5:24 Marco Rubio visits the Vatican 7:33 What Rubio and the pope discussed 9:01 The Vatican’s history mediating between the US and Cuba 13:31 Where the U.S.-Vatican relationship stands now 18:38 The viral moment between Rubio and the pope 20:42 Leo’s resonance with U.S. Catholics 23:43 Pope Leo’s visit to Pompeii 25:30 Leo supports popular piety in Naples 27:59 Pope denounces organized crime in Naples 30:27 Pope Leo’s planned summer trips 32:03 Why the encyclical is not coming May 15 33:41 Outro and credits ***** Links: Vatican warns SSPX leaders of excommunication over ‘schismatic act’ of ordaining bishops https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/05/13/sspx-schism-bishops-ordination/ Pope Leo meets with Marco Rubio amid Trump’s personal attacks https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/05/07/pope-leo-marco-rubio-trump/ Poll: Most Americans disapprove of Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/05/06/americans-disapprove-trump-attacks-pope-leo/ Pope Leo prays for end to ‘fratricidal hatred’ as he celebrates anniversary in Pompeii https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/05/08/pope-leo-anniversary-pompeii/ ***** Please consider supporting this content by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe ****** Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine! http://americamedia.org/subscribe ****** Sign-up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/2K