Pope Leo’s first Christmas address to the Vatican Curia

Dec 23, 2025
40 mins

Episode Description

The pope’s annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia was once a run-of-the-mill affair, but in 2005, the year he was elected pope, Benedict XVI used the speech to lay out his decisive vision for the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. Francis famously used the speech to decry the “diseases” of the Roman Curia.

This week, Pope Leo XIV delivered his own first Christmas address to the Curia. On a special roundtable episode of “Inside the Vatican,” host Colleen Dulle and producers Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Sebastian Gomes examine how Leo’s speech continued his predecessors’ priorities, and where it differed.

“Inside the Vatican” will take a break for Christmas and return on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, barring any breaking news.

Links from the show:

Pope Leo in Christmas address to Vatican officials asks: ‘Is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?’

Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast

Hark! The stories of our favorite Christmas carols

For Megaphone only:

Support Inside the Vatican by subscribing to America Magazine!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See all episodes

Never lose your place, on any device

Create a free account to sync, back up, and get personal recommendations.