Papal Health: History, Mystery, and the New Transparency

More McGrady with Katie

The Vatican hasn't always been known as the most upfront and transparent when it comes to the health of the Pope. John XXIII's cancer wasn't shared until a few days before he died. They never called John Paul II's progressing disease parkinson's. Pope Francis was on death's door for weeks, and we were told he was doing fine, and recovering slowly. But now, in 2026, Pope Leo XIV announced his own surgery and health updates are being given with great detail about the prognosis, tests being run, and what to expect from here on out. It's a new day in papal health news, and Katie is breaking down what's unfolding, why it's remarkable, and what we can expect to come from here with regard to Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis.

About Podcast

Every morning, on SiriusXM's The Catholic Channel, from 7:30 to 10 ET, Katie McGrady tells stories, analyzes the headlines, interviews interesting guests, comments on the culture, explains the lives of the saints and explores church history, tells you what you should pay attention to, and keeps listeners entertained with her family's antics, her opinions, and a unique blend of humor and insights. This is the "best of" pod, sharing the best of each day's show, and more, from the daily Katie McGrady Show on SiriusXM, Channel 129.