Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Inside the VaticanOctober 07, 2020
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, speaks at a press conference for the release of Pope Francis' new encyclical, "Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship," at the Vatican Oct. 4, 2020. Also pictured are Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salam, secretary general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

This week on the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell and producer Colleen Dulle unpack their takeaways from Pope Francis’ new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti.”

Listen and subscribe to “Inside the Vatican” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The hosts discuss the pope’s unique interpretation of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pope Francis devotes an entire chapter of the encyclical to the story, calling on his readers to imagine whether they are most like the Samaritan or the priest and Levite who pass by the wounded man. He examines today’s social issues in light of the parable, saying that it is rare today for someone to give his or her time as the Samaritan did, and that the Samaritan would have been unable to care for the man without the cooperation of institutions like the inn where the man rested and was treated.

Colleen recaps the new developments of the document, including the elevation of Francis’ ban on the death penalty to the level of an encyclical and the doubt he casts on whether modern wars are able to meet the requirements of a “just war” as described in just war theory. Gerry situates the encyclical in the rest of Francis’ pontificate, and the two discuss how “Fratelli Tutti” relates to “Laudato Si’.”

The hosts also discuss the document’s impact on Catholic-Muslim relations. Pope Francis has tied “Fratelli Tutti” to the document on human fraternity he signed last year with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and he chose a Muslim judge who worked with both religous leaders to officially present “Fratelli Tutti” at the Vatican. Gerry gives some insights from his interview with the judge.

Links from the show:

‘Inside the Vatican’ podcast: ‘Fratelli Tutti’ in 5 minutes

Colleen Dulle: VIDEO: Five takeaways from ‘Fratelli Tutti’

Gerard O’Connell: First Muslim to ever present a papal encyclical praises ‘Fratelli Tutti’

The latest from america

President Donald Trump, center, surrounded by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., speaks to reporters before a House Republican conference meeting, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“These proposed changes threaten access to care for millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved areas, where our member systems work every day to provide quality, compassionate care.”
Kevin ClarkeMay 20, 2025
The Archdiocese of Chicago has scheduled a Mass and a special program to celebrate the election and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, a native son of the Windy City.
The genre of the crime-solving priest or religious might be a niche one, but it's been around on the page and the screen for more than a century.
James T. KeaneMay 20, 2025
“I would suspect that people are very proud that Chicago produced a pope, and it testifies to the fact that there’s a lot of good here in the city that recommends itself to the church.”
Delaney CoyneMay 20, 2025