David Willey OBE, papal biographer and former BBC Rome Correspondent | From Francis to Leo: The Vatican in Transition

Michael reconnects with veteran BBC Vatican correspondent David Willey OBE for a compelling conversation on the end of Pope Francis’ papacy and the early days of his successor, Pope Leo. The interview was recorded on the 12th June 2025.

Drawing on over four decades of covering the Holy See, Willey offers a unique insider's view on the Church’s evolving leadership, the challenges it faces in a rapidly changing world, and the significance of a new, polyglot pope at the helm.

The discussion covers:

• Pope Francis’ legacy: his personal simplicity, reform efforts, and the limits of his pontificate.

• The unresolved crises of Vatican finances and clerical abuse scandals.

• The early signals from Pope Leo: his American background, his cautious leadership, and his surprising love of tennis.

• The future of priestly celibacy, the role of women, and the Vatican’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

• Catholic relations with China, Islam, and Evangelical Christianity.

• Whether the Vatican can still be a force for global diplomacy in conflicts such as Ukraine.

• The shifting centre of gravity in the Church—from Europe to the Global South.

This interview offers an unflinching yet hopeful look at where the Catholic Church stands today—and where it may be heading tomorrow.