Social justice and martyrdom: Unpacking Francis’ vision for evangelization

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and I explain the latest developments in the Vatican’s ongoing investigation into possible financial misconduct in the Vatican state department’s $200 million purchase of a building in an upscale London neighborhood. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was implicated in leaked documents about the deal, and this week denied any wrongdoing. We cover what questions remain in the investigation.

For our second story, the Jesuits celebrated the anniversary of their Secretariat of Social Justice and Integral Ecology this week, marking 50 years since the order began implementing the Second Vatican Council’s preferential option for the poor. In the last five decades, 57 Jesuits have been killed while evangelizing on the margins of society. (Just a note: We mistakenly said 59 on the show and regret the error.) This week, Gerry and I examine the theme of martyrdom that has emerged repeatedly in recent weeks and how it relates to Pope Francis’ vision of evangelization.

Finally, a group of U.S. bishops headed to Rome this week for their “ad limina” visits to the pope and the Roman curia. We talk about how those meetings have changed under Francis’ pontificate and what subjects the bishops are likely to address.

Links from the show:

• Vatican official denies allegations of financial mismanagement
• From 2014: Were 'Hidden Funds' Really 'Discovered' in The Vatican?
• America Special Topic: The Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador
• Pope Francis recalls persecuted Christians during Mass in catacombs