The Vatican Briefing

"The Vatican Briefing" is a podcast from the National Catholic Reporter, featuring two respected Vatican journalists and experts: Joshua J. McElwee and Christopher White. They review the most recent news relating to Pope Francis and the discussions impacting the very future of the global church, and interview key Catholic decision-makers.

Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the synod, responds to a question during a news conference at the Vatican Sept. 8, 2023. (CNS/Justin McLellan)
Vatican News

Inside the Vatican's synod office: 'New style of leadership' for Catholic Church

By Joshua J. McElwee, Christopher White

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Xavière Sr. Nathalie Becquart brings listeners inside the Vatican's synod office to discuss how the synodal process is creating "a new style of leadership" for the Catholic Church.

Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick speaking on "The Vatican Briefing" podcast about meeting with Pope Francis on Oct. 17 (NCR photo/Joshua J. McElwee)
Vatican News

Exclusive: Jeannine Gramick, LGBTQ advocate, reveals details of meeting with Pope Francis

By Joshua J. McElwee, Christopher White

Listen: In a special episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Joshua McElwee and Christopher White have an exclusive conversation with Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick about her Oct. 17 meeting with Pope Francis. Gramick says the pope "is trying to get us to move forward."

Pope Francis meets with members of the preparatory commission for the general assembly of the Synod of Bishops, March 16 at the Vatican. Pictured third from the right of Pope Francis is Mercedarian Sr. Shizue "Filo" Hirota from Tokyo. Sr. Filo Hirota speaks to NCR in Episode 2 of "The Vatican Briefing" podcast. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Vatican News

The Vatican Briefing podcast: Women at the pope's table

By NCR Staff

Listen: In the podcast's second episode, Joshua McElwee and Christopher White discuss the incredible events of the first week of the 2023 synod, and interview one of the seven organizers of the extraordinary assembly.

Catherine Clifford, a professor at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, and a voting member of the Synod of Bishops on synodality (Courtesy of St. Paul University)
Vatican News

Lay voting member says synod is opportunity to consider women deacons

By Joshua J. McElwee, Christopher White

As part of NCR's new podcast, The Vatican Briefing, one of the voting members of the Synod of Bishops has indicated an openness to restoring the early Catholic Church's tradition of ordaining women as deacons.