Last Week in the Church with John Allen

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Tune in weekly as John Allen gives his expert insight and analysis on the latest news from the Catholic Church.

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    • Jan 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 27m AVG DURATION
    • 192 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Last Week in the Church with John Allen is a podcast that has been an absolute lifesaver for me as an American parish worker. With the constant flux of news and events surrounding the Catholic Church, it can be overwhelming to keep up with everything. However, this quick, weekly podcast has been my go-to source for staying informed without being caught up in the divisive conservative/liberal analysis that often plagues discussions about the Church. What I appreciate most about this podcast is its objective nature and Allen's seemingly unshakeable composure amidst the messiness of the Church. In these turbulent times, a podcast like this is sorely needed.

    One of the best aspects of The Last Week in the Church with John Allen podcast is its ability to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of recent happenings within the Church. Each episode covers a range of topics, from major events at the Vatican to issues affecting local dioceses around the world. As a busy parish worker, I don't always have time to read lengthy articles or watch hours of news coverage, so having this condensed information delivered directly to me through audio format is incredibly convenient. It allows me to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed by information overload.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its objective approach to reporting on church events and affairs. Too often, discussions about the Catholic Church become polarized by differing opinions and ideologies. However, The Last Week in the Church manages to present information in a neutral manner, focusing on facts rather than personal biases or agendas. This allows listeners like myself to form their own opinions based on accurate information instead of being swayed by political or ideological leanings.

    While The Last Week in the Church with John Allen has many positive aspects, there are also some minor drawbacks worth noting. First and foremost, given that it aims to cover a week's worth of events within a short timeframe, some topics may not receive as much depth or analysis as one might hope for. Occasionally, I find myself wanting more detailed information or a deeper exploration of certain issues. However, considering the podcast's limited duration, it is understandable that not every topic can be fully addressed.

    In conclusion, The Last Week in the Church with John Allen is a must-listen podcast for anyone wanting to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings within the Catholic Church. Its objective nature and ability to provide succinct yet comprehensive information make it an invaluable resource for individuals like me who do not have hours to dedicate to staying informed. While it may not delve deeply into every topic covered, its quick format ensures that listeners are kept in the loop without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, this podcast fills a much-needed niche and is highly recommended for both clergy members and laypeople alike.



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    Latest episodes from Last Week in the Church with John Allen

    A Crux 2024 retrospective

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 23:24


    In this episode:First conviction for abuse on Vatican groundsPope's alleged homophobic statementsLabor unrest in the VaticanMonsignor faces criminal charges Mounting crisis in Catholic-Jewish relationsSupport the show

    Papabile speculation: inappropriate or essential?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 30:49


    In this episode:Papabile speculation: inappropriate or essential?Pope's Corsica trip: part of a bigger plan?Vatican staff rejects political interviewJubilee 2025: an LGBTQ+ pilgrimage?Peru scandal: reporting to the PopeSupport the show

    Are Christians safe in Syria after Assad regime's fall?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 28:36


    In this episode:Are Christians safe in Syria after Assad regime's fall?Peru scandal: problems for Vatican's sovereignty?Pope skips out on Notre Dame's reopening: a snub?Vatican's Nativity set sparks questions from IsraelSupport the show

    US Bishops vs. Trump on deportations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 27:16


    In this episode:US Bishops vs. Trump on deportationsPope's Turkey visit: a geopolitical agenda?Vatican on mysticism: what is ‘spiritual abuse'?Vatican confirms secret file on ‘Vatican Girl' caseSupport the show

    Outrage as Pope asks for ‘sacrifice' in money crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 29:41


    In this episode:Outrage as Pope asks for ‘sacrifice' in money crisisPope blasted: annulling SCV excommunication? Vatican hospital in crisis: will recovery plan be enough?Why does the Vatican owe a debt to Lucifer? Support the show

    Priest disputes Pope Francis' legitimacy: laicized

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 30:40


    In this episode:Controversial priest defrocked a second timePriest disputes Pope Francis' legitimacy: laicizedWomen's branch of SCV also entrenched in abuse?Vatican's Christmas tree stokes eco-protestConman busted for impersonating Vatican prelateSupport the show

    Trump wins: what does this mean for the Church?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 30:00


    In this episode:Trump wins: what does this mean for the Church?Support the show

    Pope's reform targets Cardinals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 30:38


    In this episode:‘Trial of the Century': verdict motivations revealedPope's reform targets CardinalsCardinal raises warning on beatification of Belgian kingVatican investigator receives criminal complaintSupport the show

    Synod ends: why it wasn't what many expected

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 29:26


    In this episode:Synod ends: why it wasn't what many expectedSupport the show

    Vatican employees protesting. Why?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 29:27


    In this episode:Vatican employees protesting. Why?Synod: global South tells West to buzz off Synod pushing for legal changes to Church structures?Cardinal purposely skipping Synod meetings?Pope releasing own autobiography, a historic first?Support the show

    What is the Synod's agenda?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 29:55


    In this epiosde:Are Jewish-Catholic relations in crisis?What is the Synod's agenda?Abuse destroys Sodalitium Christianae VitaeWhat did the Pope and Zelenskyy talk about?Support the show

    The 21 new cardinals: Last week in the Church with John Allen Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 29:14


    In this episode: The 21 new cardinalsHamas attacks: Vatican still neutral one year later?‘No' to women deacons at SynodOutrage: Belgian Prime Minister lashes out at PopeLiberal or conservative: who is Pope Francis?Support the show

    Pope on women: sparks college backlash

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 30:27


    In this episode:Pope on women: sparks college backlashSynod of Bishops: an anticlimactic end? Pope approves expulsion of 10 SCV membersSupport the show

    Why fixing the Church is so hard

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 28:45


    In this episode:Pope to face hostility in Belgium?Why fixing the Church is so hardScandal hasn't brought down the ChurchSupport the show

    Islam's rise in Europe inevitable, says Card. Schönborn

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 30:30


    In this episode:Pope slams both presidential candidatesA testament to Pope's strength shown on Oceania tripPope praises Singapore's multi-faith approach Islam's rise in Europe inevitable, says Card. SchönbornSelf-professed archbishop denounced as fakeSupport the show

    Pope to canonize martyrs killed by Islamic extremists

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 33:31


    In this episode:Pope's presence in Indonesia riles up radicalsPope delivers gifts and spiritual aid to marginsUkrainian Orthodox Church lashes out at PopeVatican Bank says ‘no' to employees marrying?Pope to canonize martyrs killed by Islamic extremistsSupport the show

    Vatican calling for a ban on ‘killer robots'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 32:24


    In this episode:Pope's odyssey in Asia & OceaniaBishops differ: regionalism v. strong central govt. Pope v. General: Italy's immigration debateVatican calling for a ban on ‘killer robots'Farewell, Fr. Gerald O'CollinsSupport the Show.

    Pope rejects Ukraine's Orthodox ban

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 29:30


    In this episode:Pope rejects Ukraine's Orthodox banPope avoiding ‘Biden moment' with next trip?Ecclesiastical group founder expelled for abuseVatican staff still waiting for Pope's replyNigeria's military complicit in Christian persecution? Support the show

    Did the Holy See loosen its stance on end-of-life?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 30:14


    In this episode:Did the Holy See loosen its stance on end-of-life?Blackouts in Rome: trouble for the Jubilee?Audio files revealed in ‘Vatican Girl' caseAgenda for Pope's Asia trip Support the Show.

    Olympic opening ceremony: Catholic outrage

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 28:25


    In this episode:Cardinal O'Malley replaced by Bishop Richard HenningOlympic opening ceremony: Catholic outrageSupport the Show.

    Holy See banning the Latin Mass?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 29:48


    In this episode:Biden's withdrawal parallels Benedict XVIPopes & assassins: historic close callsEucharistic revival for Americans?Holy See banning the Latin Mass?Support the Show.

    Trump assassination attempt: Church weighs in

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 29:21


    In this episode:Trump assassination attempt: Church weighs inVatican's doc on Synod of Synodality a letdown?Vatican workers beg Pope to face staff issuesSupport the Show.

    Vatican declares Archbishop Viganò excommunicated

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 28:08


    In this episode:Vatican declares Archbishop Viganò excommunicatedPope worried democracy is failingNew verdicts in ‘Trial of the Century'?Benedict XVI & Francis: a possible penitential pilgrimage?Support the Show.

    Cardinal O'Malley pushes for Vatican accountability

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 29:49


    In this episode:Cardinal O'Malley pushes for Vatican accountabilityCapuchin cardinal reaches milestone at 80Vatican demands changes to German Synodal WayPope changes tune on tattoos in the VaticanPattern of abuse within Missionaries of Charity?Support the Show.

    Archbishop Viganò charged with schism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 29:16


    In this episode:Archbishop Viganò charged with schismSpanish nuns excommunicated after sect claimVatican defends use of Rupnik's artChurch/State lines being blurred in Italy?Pope shipping Gänswein off to LatviaAnother big Vatican real estate deal on the table?Support the Show.

    Pope made homophobic & misogynist remarks?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 27:16


    In this episode:Pope made homophobic & misogynist remarks?Vatican balks at Ukraine using NATO weapons Italy's PM tells bishops to back off of constitutional reformU.S. Ambassador to the Holy See stepping downSupport the Show.

    Papal authority rejected by Chinese government

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 29:51


    In this episode:Pope upstaged at World Children's DayPapal authority rejected by Chinese governmentVatican tries to address Coptic uproarFirst millennial saint set to be canonizedRome's infrastructure ready for Jubilee 2025?Support the Show.

    Vatican rules on supernatural apparitions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 29:57


    In this episode:War of words heats up between Vatican & IsraelPeace rally sees Pope back in full forceVatican rules on supernatural apparitionsFalse mysticism legal impediment in Rupnik caseControversial Chinese bishop to speak at Vatican conferenceSupport the Show.

    EU vs. Trump - will the Vatican get their way?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 31:10


    In this episode:EU vs. Trump - will the Vatican get their way?Israel objects to ‘genocide' statement at Vatican eventJokes and protests at papal eventFemale forces head to head in Vatican lawsuitSupport the Show.

    Leading papal candidate targeted by government

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 31:40


    In this episode:Leading papal candidate targeted by government6 ‘swing states' to shape Church's global future?Horror and hope in youth prison scandalAnother criminal arrest at Pope's addressSupport the Show.

    Cardinal Parolin slams EU Parliament on abortion

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 30:56


    In this episode:Pope visits women's prison for first 2024 tripFrancis resurrects papal title Benedict XVI renouncedCardinal Parolin slams EU Parliament on abortion Pope to speak on AI at G7 summit4 bishops withdraw from German Synodal WaySupport the Show.

    Pope's security breached by US fugitive

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 30:21


    In this episode:Pope's security breached by US fugitiveVatican censorship trial dismissed Vatican agrees with Italy's new abortion policy?Cardinal Becciu to sue Vatican?Pope confirms Perlasca as star witnessSupport the show

    Anti-papal sentiment on the rise?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 30:24


    In this episode:Pope to make Gänswein his envoy? Pope planning lengthy Asia/Oceania tripVatican lodges complaint against nun's wins Anti-papal sentiment on the rise?Cardinal snubbed at Congo airportSupport the show

    Pope slams gender theory, surrogacy & sex change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 30:37


    In this episode:Pope slams gender theory, surrogacy & sex changePope meets families of Israeli hostagesPope removes Cardinal Donatis Pope under fire for interview bookPope travels to slums to meet with priestsSupport the show

    Francis sheds light on Benedict XVI's election

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 29:40


    In this episode:Pope struggles over EasterPope avoids significant topics in Easter addressFrancis sheds light on Benedict XVI's electionGänswein: why is he a thorn in the Pope's side?Pope's Ukraine comment causes uproar in Italian politicsSupport the show

    Belgian bishop defrocked

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 29:16


    In this episode:Is the Pope okay?Vatican challenges German bishopsISIS attack in Russia a risk for Easter?Belgian bishop defrockedRemembering the Ardeatine massacres Support the show

    Pope Francis's biography is revealing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 30:47


    In this episode:Pope Francis's biography is revealingPope won't resign like Benedict XVICritics getting under Pope's skin?Conclaves: revisions ahead?Pope doubles down on Fiducia SupplicansPope's abortion stance contradicting?‘Vatican Girl': Pope renews calls for truthRemembrance of Fr. Giuseppe DianaSupport the show

    Major backlash following Pope's Ukraine comment

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 28:47


    In this episode:Major backlash following Pope's Ukraine commentPope bounces back after bronchitis Coptic Church cutting ties with Vatican over gay blessings?Pope visits controversial Belgian bishop11 years of Pope FrancisSupport the show

    Pope takes a swipe at gender theory

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 27:02


    In this episode:Is the Pope bouncing back?Anonymous Cardinal attacks Francis papacyIs a stay-at-home Pope realistic?Pope takes a swipe at gender theorySecularism: friend or foe?Support the show

    Pope's reform running off the rails?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 29:31


    In this episode:2 years of war: can Vatican offer hope? Pope's latest health scare reason for alarm?Rupnik's accusers criticize Pope's ‘reformed' systemVatican forced to intervene with German bishops Is Mafia making moves on Italian priests?Support the show

    Vatican target of organized crime?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 30:46


    In this episode:Pope's letter to Jews received with silence?Historic meeting: Pope and Argentine Pres. MileiRemembering a forgotten WWII tragedyVatican target of organized crime?Ercolina II makes appearance at Pope's addressSupport the show

    Vatican cracks down on liturgical abuse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 29:05


    In this episode:Vatican cracks down on liturgical abuseJewish community unhappy with Pope's letterCould the next Pope come from Congo?Vatican shirking responsibility for ‘vulnerable adults'?‘Vatican Girl': brother supplies ‘new' evidenceSupport the show

    ISIS opens fire on Christians in Turkish church

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 29:41


    In this episode:Did Pope just escalate debates on Fiducia Supplicans?Chief Rabbi disappointed by Vatican's handling of GazaVatican court's first conviction for sexual abuseISIS opens fire on Christians in Turkish churchSupport the show

    Christian genocide in Nigeria: calls to resist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 25:00


    In this episode:Feducia Supplicans: biggest blowback since 1968Dutch bishops reply to Pope: a political move?Christian genocide in Nigeria: calls to resistPope shakes up Vatican's communications againSupport the show

    nigeria pope resist vatican christian genocide againsupport
    African bishops challenge Pope Francis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 28:55


    In this episode:African bishops challenge Pope FrancisParliamentary inquest into ‘Vatican Girl'Pope in the polls: what does America think?Pope on resigning and future travelsSupport the show

    Holy Office approved blessing same-sex unions?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 31:38


    In this episode:Holy Office approved blessing same-sex unions?God and orgasms: a book written by Cardinal FernandezPope calls for global ban on surrogacyMusings on Pope's trip to MongoliaSupport the show

    Cardinal adviser to Pope convicted of financial crime

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 27:12


    In this episode:Cardinal adviser of Pope convicted of financial crimeDid Israel attack only Catholic parish in Gaza?Pope chooses burial site: not the VaticanSupport the show

    Pope changing conclave rules?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 28:11


    In this episode:Pope saving strength for Christmas calendarPope changing conclave rules?End of Vatican trial: all eyes on Cardinal BecciuPope to visit Milei's Argentina?Michael Voris of Church Militant resignsSupport the show

    Pope moves on Cardinal Burke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 31:12


    In this episode:Bronchitis keeping Pope downPope moves on Cardinal BurkeGerman Synodal Way: Pope speaks outCOP28: is climate change a religious problem?NGO scandal: dangerous friends of the PopeSupport the show

    Impossible to ignore Pope's growing Jewish problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 30:44


    In this episode:Pope has inflammation in his lungImpossible to ignore Pope's growing Jewish problemItalian femicide epidemic: where's the Vatican?Pentecostal explosion: African bishops are concernedWill Pope's strength return before COP28?Support the show

    Masons: Vatican holds ground on ban for Catholics

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 28:25


    In this episode:Anti-Pope Milei now President of ArgentinaMasons: Vatican holds ground on ban for CatholicsIsrael-Palestine: Pope to meet victimsVatican trial wrap-up: verdict in December? Rumors abound about Pope Francis pontificateSupport the show

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