Episode Details

This week’s “Inside the Vatican” is all about Pope Francis’ trip to sub-Saharan Africa. First, Gerry will give us some context on the three nations the pope visited: Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. What sets these nations apart?

Then, we’ll talk about what Pope Francis’ goals were for this visit: what issues and people he wanted to highlight, and why.

Finally, Gerry and I will unpack the pope’s comments about his critics aboard the papal plane. “I am honored when the Americans attack me,” Pope Francis said on the way to Mozambique. On the return trip, he addressed the possibility of a schism, saying “I am not afraid of schisms. I pray they do not happen.” Fresh off the papal flight, Gerry explains some of the context for these comments, and whether a schism may actually happen.

Links from the show:

• Pope Francis to journalist: ‘I am honored that the Americans attack me.’
• Pope Francis celebrates the fruits of peace in Mozambique
• The anti-poverty project Pope Francis will visit in Madagascar
• Pope Francis to Mozambicans: ‘You have a right to peace’
• Pope Francis calls on Madagascar’s leaders to fight corruption, eliminate poverty and protect the environment
• Pope Francis tells Madagascar’s bishops: Be sowers of faith, hope and peace in this land of contradictions
• Pope Francis in Madagascar: We cannot remain indifferent.
• “Poverty is not inevitable!”: Pope Francis’ message to the young people of Madagascar
• 400 years after first Jesuits arrived, Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Mauritius
• Pope Francis praises diversity of Mauritius but encourages greater openness to migrants
• Pope Francis on plane: ‘I am not afraid of schisms. I pray they do not happen.’