White Smoke - The Path to a New Pope

When asked to support prison ministry initiatives financially, even as Vatican resources dwindled, Francis did not hesitate to use his personal savings. "Don't worry, I have something in my account," he told Ambarus, before transferring 200,000 euros for the needs of the incarcerated—money he might have kept for his own use in his final days.A poignant detail revealed after his death showed that Francis' burial would be paid for by a benefactor. Having given everything to others, he left no money behind in a final demonstration of solidarity with the poor and marginalized.Get the show without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.   

Inside the Vatican, thousands of sainthood causes languish in limbo - not rejected, but deliberately delayed. This episode investigates the most contested candidates awaiting judgment, from wartime Pope Pius XII and his disputed Holocaust record to American media pioneer Archbishop Fulton Sheen and radical social activist Dorothy Day. We reveal the power struggles that determine which causes advance and which wait for a more favorable moment, examining how the Church navigates historical reassessment, internal politics, and external pressure when deciding whose virtue deserves official recognition.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, Germany, expects the upcoming papal conclave to last longer than the relatively brief gathering that elected Pope Francis in 2013, the German prelate revealed Tuesday in Rome."I hope for a short conclave, but I believe everything is possible," Woelki told EWTN Germany. "I expect it won't go as quickly as the last conclave. But maybe I'll be proven wrong. I would be happy about that."Get the show without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.   

Martin Scorsese has made a documentary with the late Pope Francis that will feature conversations between the pontiff and Scorsese, including what the film-makers say was the pope's final in-depth on-camera interview.Aldeas – A New Story will detail the work of Scholas Occurrentes, a non-profit, international organisation founded by the pope in 2013 to promote what it termed "Culture of Encounter" among youth.Get the show without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.   

Francis not only dressed modestly but actively de-emphasized traditional clerical attire, reportedly teasing one overdressed cardinal by asking if he had "come dressed for a wedding." He sometimes referenced certain styles in his homilies, describing long black cassocks and wide-brimmed saturno hats as symbols of "traditionalism and rigidity" within the church. His everyday accessories included a Swatch watch or a Casio timepiece that retailed for just twenty-three dollars, and he made headlines by personally visiting a Roman pharmacy to purchase orthopedic shoes, eschewing the traditional red papal footwear.

The Italian cardinal at the center of what many call the Vatican's "trial of the century" has announced his withdrawal from participating in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, citing "the good of the church." This ends days of drama that had overshadowed the proceedings following Pope Francis' death.Cardinal Angelo Becciu's status dominated discussions as questions swirled about whether he would participate in the May seventh conclave to elect Francis' successor. After his downfall in 2020, Becciu had initially said he would not participate in any future conclave. However, in recent days, he asserted his right to enter the Sistine Chapel alongside other cardinals.On Tuesday, the seventy-six-year-old Italian issued a statement through his lawyers saying: "Having at heart the good of the church, which I have served and will continue to serve with fidelity and love, as well as to contribute to the communion and serenity of the conclave, I have decided to obey as I have always done the will of Pope Francis not to enter the conclave while remaining convinced of my innocence."

The Vatican announced the conclave will begin on May 7th and will involve some 135 cardinals from across the world..The cardinals will gather for morning Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, praying for the wisdom to make the right decision. They then will form a procession into the Sistine Chapel, where they will take an oath where they commit to secrecy and not to allow outside interests to sway their decisions.The master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations orders everyone who is not part of the conclave to leave. The master and a member of the clergy designated to lead a meditation remain."This meditation focuses on the grave responsibility that rests upon the electors and the necessity of acting with pure intentions for the good of the Universal Church, keeping only God before their eyes," the Vatican says.The master and the meditation leader then leave. If voting begins on the afternoon of the first day, there will be only one ballot. On subsequent days, two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.The cardinals will vote by secret ballot, proceeding one by one up to Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment to say a prayer and drop the double-folded ballot into a large chalice.Four rounds of balloting take place each day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he is willing to serve. If he is, the new pope chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, will announce "Habemus Papam" − We have a pope − from the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. The new pontiff then goes out onto the balcony and blesses the city of Rome and the entire world.

Pope Francis’s burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major is a deeply personal tribute to his Ligurian roots, with a simple tomb crafted from slate stone, honoring his family’s homeland. The tomb bears only the Latin inscription "Franciscus" and a reproduction of his pectoral cross, reflecting his lifelong devotion to humility. Meanwhile, the world mourns his passing, and attention is shifting toward the upcoming papal conclave, where leading candidates, such as Pietro Parolin, Péter Erdő, and Luis Antonio Tagle, are in the running for the papacy.As the Vatican prepares for the conclave, a renewed interest in the film Conclave has sparked comparisons between its fictional characters and real-life papal contenders. The conclave will begin in early May, following the nine days of mourning.In Rome, an unexpected controversy arose when mourners took selfies with Pope Francis’s body, sparking tension and revealing the clash between centuries-old traditions and modern social media culture. Despite Pope Francis’s embrace of modern communication, the incident has raised questions about reverence in the age of smartphones.Meanwhile, in Argentina, Francis’s deep connection to his beloved San Lorenzo soccer club has taken on a symbolic significance, with the number on his membership card aligning eerily with the time of his death. Tributes to the Pope are flooding Buenos Aires, with discussions about naming a stadium in his honor and commemorations that blend mourning with celebration.Get White Smoke without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.   

The touching account of Pope Francis's Easter Sunday appearance and final hours, as shared by his personal doctor. Discover how Sister Geneviève's solitary vigil honored a meaningful friendship, and how ancient Gregorian chant traditions brought dignity to the funeral ceremonies at Saint Peter's.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

What happens when the Catholic Church's heroes become its flashpoints? This episode examines the Church's most controversial canonizations, from Juan Diego's disputed historical existence to Josemaría Escrivá's fast-tracked elevation and Mother Teresa's complex legacy. We explore how disputed martyrs from the Spanish Civil War reveal competing historical narratives, and how ancient controversies like Emperor Constantine's sainthood continue to shape debates about the Church's relationship to power. Behind every contested saint lies a battle over what kind of Catholicism deserves veneration.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a moving eulogy for Pope Francis on Saturday, honoring him as a true "pope of the people" whose informal and spontaneous style allowed him to communicate effectively with the "least among us."The Cardinal spoke with deep reverence, describing Francis as "a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone," capturing the essence of a pontificate marked by accessibility and compassion. In his remarks, Cardinal Re evoked the poignant final public image many would carry of Francis—the pontiff offering what would become his last blessing on Easter Sunday and waving to the faithful from the popemobile in Saint Peter's Square, the very same piazza where his funeral Mass was now being celebrated.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. Rome time, and here’s everything you need to know about the event.The ceremony will be held at St. Peter’s Square with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presiding over the Mass, incorporating traditional rites with Pope Francis’s personal modifications, such as a simpler service with a single wooden coffin. The Mass will include prayers in multiple languages and will conclude with Pope Francis’s burial at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in line with his wish for simplicity.For viewers, major networks such as NBC, CBS, CNN, and ABC will broadcast the event, with the Vatican’s YouTube channel offering a live stream. International outlets like CBC Television (Canada), Sky News and BBC (UK), and Globo News (Brazil) will also provide coverage.The funeral will be a highly structured event, with dignitaries and heads of state seated according to strict protocols. The seating chart will follow alphabetical order, with representatives from Italy and Argentina occupying front-row seats, while U.S. President Donald Trump will be placed away from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to avoid diplomatic tensions. Strict dress codes will also be in place, with men wearing dark suits and women in black dresses with veils.Get White Smoke without ads. Five bucks.  For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus.   

Thursday 4/24/25 "The Final Farewell" As tens of thousands of mourners from across the globe converge on St. Peter's Basilica to pay their last respects to Pope Francis, the Catholic Church prepares for Saturday's funeral and the upcoming conclave. In today's episode, we explore the emotional scenes inside the basilica, examine the cardinals' preliminary meetings, and investigate the emerging battle lines between progressives hoping to continue Francis's reforms and conservatives seeking a return to tradition. With Francis's revolutionary legacy hanging in the balance, the Church stands at a critical crossroads.

Wednesday 4/23/25 We cover Pope Francis's solemn procession to St. Peter's Basilica where thousands gather to pay their respects to the 88-year-old pontiff who died on Easter Monday. Learn about his touching final words, the enhanced security measures during this Jubilee Holy Year, and exclusive insights into the upcoming conclave process from Cardinal Castillo. Join us as Rome prepares for Saturday's funeral where an estimated 250,000 mourners and numerous world leaders will bid farewell to a pope who reformed even his own funeral rites to be remembered not as "a powerful man of this world" but as "a shepherd and disciple."

Tuesday 4/22/25 The Vatican has announced that Francis's funeral will take place this Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, an event expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners from around the world. This timing follows the traditional Catholic practice of holding papal funerals four to six days after death, similar to Pope Emeritus BenedictI's funeral which occurred five days after his passing in 2023.Following tradition, Vatican officials have sealed both the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace and Francis's modest living quarters at Casa Santa Marta, the Vatican guest house where he chose to reside throughout his papacy, rejecting the more ornate papal accommodations. New video footage shows the ceremonial sealing of these spaces with red ribbon and wax. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, serving as camerlengo, personally tested the doors to ensure they were properly locked as part of the ancient rituals following a pope's death.The Vatican News reported that the rite confirming the death and the placement of Pope Francis's body in the coffin took place on Monday in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. Images released by the Vatican showed Francis in an open coffin, dressed in red and white vestments and holding a rosary. On Wednesday, the coffin will be taken in a procession to St. Peter's Basilica to lie in state for about three days, with mourners allowed to visit and pay tribute.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!

At 7:35 AM on Monday, April 21st, 2025, the unthinkable happened. Just one day after blessing thousands of faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis, the 266th successor to St. Peter, returned to the Father. The man who had led the Catholic Church for twelve transformative years was gone.This is WHITE SMOKE: The Path to A New Pope. Over the coming episodes, we'll guide you through one of history's most elaborate and secretive transfers of power – a process now unfolding before our eyes.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936,  to Italian immigrant parents, he worked as a chemical technician and even as a nightclub bouncer before entering the priesthood. This humble beginning would later inform his papacy's emphasis on serving the poor and marginalized.As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was known for taking public transportation and cooking his own meals, earning a reputation for humble leadership that would later define his papal style. "My people are poor and I am one of them," he often said, explaining his modest lifestyle.Elected pope in March 2013, following the historic resignation of Pope Benedict the Sixteenth, Francis immediately set a new tone for the papacy. He chose his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, signaling his commitment to the poor and to environmental stewardship.His papacy was marked by several historic firsts and significant reforms.   Pope Francis was 88.

A teenager in jeans and sneakers becomes the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. This episode explores how Pope Francis is using Carlo Acutis's canonization to bridge the gap between ancient faith and digital culture, revealing the strategic calculations behind modern saint-making. From a million pilgrims flocking to Assisi to Vatican social media campaigns, discover how this 15-year-old computer programmer who died of leukemia in 2006 became the centerpiece of Catholicism's effort to remain relevant in a secular age.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNITERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

"White Smoke, Episode 14: Gladio's Shadow" examines how elements within the Catholic Church became entangled in NATO's secret "stay-behind" armies during the Cold War. Driven by fears of Soviet expansion and communist persecution of Catholics, certain clergy allowed church properties to be used as weapons caches for Operation Gladio—networks designed to resist potential Soviet occupation.The episode explores how these arrangements, never official Vatican policy, evolved beyond their original purpose when some Gladio resources were allegedly connected to right-wing terrorism in Italy during the "Years of Lead." This history reveals how anti-communist concerns led religious figures into morally complex alignments with intelligence services and military preparations.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

"White Smoke, Episode 13: Ratlines" examines the troubling post-World War II period when certain Vatican officials helped Nazi war criminals escape justice. The episode focuses on key figures like Bishop Alois Hudal and Croatian priest Krunoslav Draganović, who provided fugitives including Adolf Eichmann, Josef Mengele, and Klaus Barbie with false documents and escape routes to South America.Their motivations ranged from ideological sympathy to anti-communism. While not official Vatican policy, these "ratlines" operated within Church networks and resources. The episode explores how elements within an institution founded on moral principles became entangled in activities that contradicted its own teachings and obstructed justice.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

Episode 12, "The Commerce of Souls" examines the Vatican's complex role as an intelligence hub during the Cold War. The episode focuses on Pope John XXIII, who established a diplomatic approach he called "the commerce of souls"—maintaining communication with Catholics behind the Iron Curtain while engaging Soviet leaders. Despite surveillance and persecution, the Vatican operated a network of priests, nuns, and laypeople who smuggled messages and aid across borders at great personal risk. John XXIII's unprecedented outreach to Khrushchev alarmed American officials, but positioned the Vatican as a unique mediator, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis, defying both superpowers in pursuit of peace.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

"White Smoke, Episode 11" chronicles the historic 2013 conclave following Pope Benedict XVI's unprecedented resignation. The episode details how 115 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel to elect a successor, ultimately choosing Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio on just the fifth ballot. As the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit, and the first to choose the name Francis, Bergoglio immediately signaled a new direction through his humility and simplicity—declining traditional papal finery, asking for the crowd's prayers before blessing them, and choosing to live in the Vatican guesthouse rather than the papal apartment.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

"White Smoke, Episode 10" chronicles Pope Benedict XVI's shocking resignation on February 11, 2013, the first voluntary papal resignation in nearly 600 years. The episode details how Benedict's declaration stunned the cardinals present and sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church. At 85, citing declining health and strength, Benedict carefully orchestrated his departure—becoming "Pope Emeritus," relinquishing papal symbols, and promising obedience to his successor. His historic decision forever changed the papacy, transforming it from a lifetime appointment into a ministry requiring physical vigor, while setting the stage for an unprecedented conclave to elect a new pope while his predecessor still lived.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

"White Smoke, Episode 9" chronicles Pope John Paul II's final days in early 2005, detailing his declining health from Parkinson's disease and his peaceful death on April 2. The episode captures the unprecedented global mourning, with over two million pilgrims viewing his body and four million attending his funeral. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who delivered a moving eulogy, emerged as a central figure during the transition.The conclave elected Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI on April 19 after just four ballots, representing both continuity with John Paul II's theological positions and a transition to a more reserved, scholarly papal style.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

The intensity of a papal conclave can overwhelm even the most seasoned cardinals. In 1978, one hundred eleven princes of the Church gathered in the Sistine Chapel, their minds still reeling from the shocking death of Pope John Paul after just thirty-three days in office. The smoke had barely cleared from their last conclave when they were called back to Rome. For the second time in two months, they faced the weight of selecting God's representative on Earth.The election of Karol Wojtyła as John Paul II reminds us how a few days in a sealed chapel can change the course of history. Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.comGet more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com

This episode examines the complex financial world of the Vatican during John Paul I's brief papacy, focusing on the Vatican Bank  and its operations. It profiles key figures in Vatican finance, while exploring the unique position of the Vatican's financial institutions. The episode discusses John Paul I's perspectives on Church finances and various theories about potential reforms, while carefully distinguishing between documented facts and speculation. It also examines the financial scandals that emerged in the years following his death and their lasting impact on Vatican transparency.

This episode provides a detailed examination of September 29, 1978—the morning Pope John Paul I was discovered dead in his bed. It carefully investigates the conflicting accounts about who found his body, the evolving timeline of discovery, and the Vatican's handling of information in the crucial first hours. The episode explores why no autopsy was performed, questions about the time of death, and how these inconsistencies created an enduring mystery. Without making definitive claims, it presents the documented facts, contradictions, and unanswered questions that have fueled decades of speculation about the Pope's sudden death.

As Pope Francis battles the most serious health crisis of his papacy, discussions about the possibility of his resignation have moved from theoretical to increasingly concrete. The 88-year-old pontiff, hospitalized with a complex respiratory illness recently identified as double pneumonia, has experienced multiple serious medical episodes including acute respiratory failure requiring non-invasive mechanical ventilation.While the Vatican continues to issue detailed health updates at Francis's own request—a level of transparency unprecedented in papal history—church observers, Vatican officials, and Catholics worldwide are contemplating what a potential papal retirement might entail. The possibility, once unthinkable before Benedict the 16th’s historic 2013 resignation, now represents a realistic scenario that would have profound implications for the Catholic Church.

This episode explores the unexpected election and brief papacy of Albino Luciani, who became Pope John Paul I in August 1978. It examines how this humble son of a bricklayer broke with Vatican traditions immediately upon his election—refusing the papal throne, speaking in first person, and declining formal ceremonies. The episode traces his vision for a simpler, more accessible Church that shocked the Vatican establishment and won him worldwide admiration as "The Smiling Pope." His thirty-three days in office represented a potentially transformative moment for the Catholic Church before his sudden death cut his papacy tragically short.

What happened the last time there was a Conclave?A look at the election of Pope Francis.

In the 2024 film "Conclave," Rafe Fines plays Cardinal Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who must organize the election of a new pope. Through his eyes, audiences witness the world's most secretive election process, complete with political intrigue, hidden secrets, and a dramatic twist that left critics debating its plausibility.But how does Hollywood's version compare to the real thing?

What happens when a pope becomes incapacitated? Through the lens of Pope Francis's February 2025 hospitalization, we explore the surprisingly undefined territory of papal illness. Unlike death or resignation, there are no clear protocols for an unconscious or incapacitated pope. Discover how the Church has handled these delicate situations throughout history, and why this "legislative gap" in canon law creates unique challenges in the modern age.

What happens when one billion Catholics need a new spiritual leader? This episode explores the complex dynamics of papal succession in our modern age. From the growing influence of the Global South to the diminishing power of European cardinals, we examine how geography and politics shape papal elections. Could an American cardinal overcome historical obstacles to claim the Chair of Saint Peter? We profile the leading candidates from different regions, analyze the crucial factions that will determine the outcome, and explore the delicate balance between tradition and change facing the next conclave. Discover how the world's oldest electoral process continues to evolve while maintaining its essential character.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free

Through the lens of Pope Francis's February 2025 hospitalization, this episode explores the delicate intersection of ancient traditions and modern medical realities when a pontiff faces serious illness. We examine how the Vatican's carefully calibrated information protocols evolved from medieval secrecy to today's twice-daily bulletins, the Swiss Guard's perpetual state of preparedness, and how the faithful respond to papal vulnerability.Discover how the Church has learned from each papal illness throughout history to maintain dignity while adapting to contemporary expectations - a balance of tradition and innovation that reveals the Vatican's understanding of itself as both an eternal institution and a living community.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which seays UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

From the moment white smoke appears, the transformation from cardinal to pope begins with remarkable speed. This episode explores the intense first days of a new papacy - a period when ancient traditions meet modern demands. We examine how different popes have made their mark immediately: John Paul the First refusing the papal throne, John the Twenty-Third shocking cardinals by announcing the Second Vatican Council, John Paul the Second breaking centuries of tradition as a non-Italian pope, and Francis washing the feet of Muslim prisoners. These crucial early decisions reveal how even small changes to papal traditions can signal seismic shifts in the Church's direction and set the tone for an entire pontificate.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNITERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

When a pope dies, ancient traditions begin immediately. A silver hammer strikes his forehead three times. His ring is destroyed. Within hours, over one hundred cardinals begin traveling to Rome from every corner of the globe. In this episode, we explore the crucial first nine days after a pope's death - from the precise protocols of confirming death, to the elaborate funeral preparations, to the behind-the-scenes machinations that begin as soon as the throne of Saint Peter becomes vacant.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNITERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!

WHITE SMOKE: The Path to A New Pope explores humanity's most elaborate and secretive transfer of power - the death of a pope and the election of his successor. From the traditional three taps of a silver hammer on a pope's forehead to confirm death, to the burning of his ring, to the secret conversations that choose the next leader of one billion faithful, this series reveals the hidden rituals, ancient traditions, and behind-the-scenes drama of papal transition. Join us as we explore how the Catholic Church has perfected this sacred process over two thousand years, and what happens in those crucial days between popes when the throne of Saint Peter stands empty.