July 24, 2025 • 8 mins
Turns out Pope Leo is a classically trained pianist with a taste for Bartók. We learn about his musical past, his remarkable high school years, and his deeply moving genealogy session with Henry Louis Gates Jr., which revealed distant ties to Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, and even Hillary Clinton. Later, artisans prepare to add Pope Leo’s mosaic to the legendary portrait wall at Saint Paul Outside the Walls—reviving an ancient end-times superstition.Portions of this program were made with the help of AI. While no one truly knows what happens behind closed doors, we've tried our best to capture the story, taking dramatic license when necessary to create this entertainment series based on true events.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visitcaloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!
Thanks to our sponsor https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Happiness-Experiment/Carl-B-Barney/9798886452891
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visitcaloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!
Thanks to our sponsor https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Happiness-Experiment/Carl-B-Barney/9798886452891
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!
We now have Merch! FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com
Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is info@caloroga.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Caalaroga shark media. While the world has already heard the
Pontiff sing during various liturgical celebrations, a deeper musical talent
has now come to light through revelations from those closest
to him. Pope Leo is not only a vocalist, but
(00:23):
also a skilled pianist, a talent that traces back to
his childhood musical education. The revelation about Pope Leo's piano
skills came from Father Alejandro Morale Anton, a longtime friend
of the pontiff. According to Father Morale, the Pope's musical
foundation was established during his youth, when he formally studied
music and learned to read sheet music. This early musical
(00:48):
education has remained with him throughout his ecclesiastical career, providing
both personal enjoyment and deeper appreciation for the role of
music in worship. The extent of Pope Leo's musical abilities
became apparent shortly after his papal election. Father Morale recounted
how just days following the election, the new Pontiff received
(01:09):
a visit from a renowned Italian orchestra conductor. During this meeting,
Pope Leo demonstrated his pianistic skills by performing a challenging
piece by the Hungarian composer Baylor Bartok. The choice to
perform Bartok represents sophisticated musical taste, as this composer is
known for complex modernist compositions that require considerable technical skill
(01:33):
and musical understanding. The fact that Pope Leo could execute
such demanding repertoire speaks to his serious musical training and
ongoing dedication to the craft. Pope Francis has also maintained
a personal connection to music through his favorite record shop,
Stereo Sound, a family owned establishment located near the Pantheon
(01:53):
in Rome. His personal collection reportedly included an eclectic mix,
ranging from Elvis Presley gospel recordings to tangos by Argentine
composer Asta Piazzala, as well as albums by French Chanson
singer Edith Piaff. Most educators can recall their exceptional students,
the ones who left lasting impressions. However, Sue Strom from
(02:17):
Hunt Valley has a truly extraordinary story. She once taught
a young man who would eventually become the leader of
the Catholic Church. Strom taught French to Robert Francis prevost
during his teenage years at Saint Augustine's Seminary High School
in Holland, Michigan. Strom describes him as remarkably gifted, intellectually
(02:38):
and academically exceptional. Even as a young person, his capabilities
were evident to anyone who worked with him. The future
Pope Leo displayed an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Strom recalls
how he would absorb lessons with remarkable ease, as though
he were constantly ready for greater challenges. His learning style
suggested someone who grasped conte quickly and hungered for more
(03:01):
advanced material. Despite being well liked by his fellow seminarians,
the future Pope maintained a certain reserve. This wasn't shyness,
but rather a thoughtful composure that set him apart. His
peers respected him not only for his intelligence, but also
for his character and gentle manner. Learning about her former
(03:22):
student's papal election came as a complete shock. Strom was
driving when the announcement broke. Her granddaughter sent her a
text message about the new Pope being an Augustinian from Chicago. Initially,
she found this interesting but not particularly surprising. Then realization
struck As she read more details about the newly elected pontiff,
(03:43):
everything clicked into place. She suddenly remembered exactly where this
young man had sat in her classroom all those years ago.
She believes his combination of deep spiritual connection and worldly
experience makes him uniquely qualified for papal leadership. According to Storm,
his remarkably diverse background provides him with more practical experience
(04:04):
than previous popes have possessed. As for that background, we've
discussed before, the pope's connections to Madonna. Now, Henry Lewis
Gates Junior, the renowned host of the Emmy nominated PBS
program Finding Your Roots, has traveled to Vatican City to
share research findings with the pontiff. Gates presented Pope Leo
(04:27):
with comprehensive genealogical research that traced his ancestry back fifteen generations.
The results contained some truly surprising revelations about the Pope's
celebrity relatives and diverse heritage. The research confirmed that Pope
Leo shares family connections with several high profile figures. Among
his distant relatives are pop icon Madonna, Academy Award winning
(04:50):
actress Angelina Joe Lee and international music sensation Justin Bieber.
The family tree also reveals connections to former sen Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton, as well as both Pierre and
Justin Trudeau from Canada's political dynasty. These celebrity connections stem
from a shared maternal ancestor who lived during the fifteen nineties.
(05:13):
Pope Leo is actually a ninth cousin several times removed
to this notable group of public figures. The common ancestral
link spans more than four centuries of family history. Perhaps
even more significant than these celebrity connections is the discovery
of Pope Leo's multi racial heritage. Gates' research revealed that
(05:33):
the Pope has both Black and European ancestry, with family
lines that tell a complex story of American history. The
research also identified two freedom fighters within Pope Leo's ancestral line,
individuals who fought for justice and equality during their lifetimes.
These discoveries add depth to understanding the Pope's family background
(05:54):
and the diverse experiences that shaped his heritage. Gates described
the Attican meeting as profoundly meaningful. Following their encounter, he
shared his experience on social media, calling it one of
the most meaningful and deeply moving moments of our lives.
(06:19):
An intriguing tradition at Rome's Basilica of Saint Paul outside
the Walls has captured imaginations for centuries, and now the
anticipated edition of Pope Leo's mosaic portrait is reviving ancient
curiosities and persistent legends. As skilled artisans prepare the golden
medallion that will join the historic line of papal portraits
(06:41):
above the nave, an age old question emerges once again.
The practice of displaying portraits representing every pope, beginning with
Saint Peter himself, traces its origins back to the fifth century,
during the papacy of Pope Leo the first. These circular medallions,
known as tondy, create a continuous ring around the church's interior,
(07:01):
forming what could be described as a visual chronicle of
apostolic succession. However, this remarkable artistic tradition has also given
birth to a peculiar superstition that has persisted through the ages.
According to this legend, when all available spaces for papal
portraits are finally filled, the world will reach its end.
(07:22):
While this belief holds no official standing within church doctrine.
It continues to circulate among visitors and has gained renewed
attention with each papal election. The legend gained particular momentum
following the devastating fire of eighteen twenty three that destroyed
much of the Basilica and its precious mosaic collection. When
Pope Leo the twelfth initiated the reconstruction efforts, the new
(07:45):
series of mosaic portraits was necessarily limited in number due
to architectural constraints. Since that rebuilding, each new medallion has
brought the church incrementally closer to what some perceive as
a prophetic conclusion. With Pope Leo as the two hundred
sixty seventh Pope, the Basilica does edge closer to its
(08:05):
architectural capacity. However, visitors who have heard the legend might
be surprised to discover that dozens of spaces remain available
for future papal portraits. The supposed approaching limit exists more
in imagination than in reality.
Caalaroga shark media. While the world has already heard the
Pontiff sing during various liturgical celebrations, a deeper musical talent
has now come to light through revelations from those closest
to him. Pope Leo is not only a vocalist, but
(00:23):
also a skilled pianist, a talent that traces back to
his childhood musical education. The revelation about Pope Leo's piano
skills came from Father Alejandro Morale Anton, a longtime friend
of the pontiff. According to Father Morale, the Pope's musical
foundation was established during his youth, when he formally studied
music and learned to read sheet music. This early musical
(00:48):
education has remained with him throughout his ecclesiastical career, providing
both personal enjoyment and deeper appreciation for the role of
music in worship. The extent of Pope Leo's musical abilities
became apparent shortly after his papal election. Father Morale recounted
how just days following the election, the new Pontiff received
(01:09):
a visit from a renowned Italian orchestra conductor. During this meeting,
Pope Leo demonstrated his pianistic skills by performing a challenging
piece by the Hungarian composer Baylor Bartok. The choice to
perform Bartok represents sophisticated musical taste, as this composer is
known for complex modernist compositions that require considerable technical skill
(01:33):
and musical understanding. The fact that Pope Leo could execute
such demanding repertoire speaks to his serious musical training and
ongoing dedication to the craft. Pope Francis has also maintained
a personal connection to music through his favorite record shop,
Stereo Sound, a family owned establishment located near the Pantheon
(01:53):
in Rome. His personal collection reportedly included an eclectic mix,
ranging from Elvis Presley gospel recordings to tangos by Argentine
composer Asta Piazzala, as well as albums by French Chanson
singer Edith Piaff. Most educators can recall their exceptional students,
the ones who left lasting impressions. However, Sue Strom from
(02:17):
Hunt Valley has a truly extraordinary story. She once taught
a young man who would eventually become the leader of
the Catholic Church. Strom taught French to Robert Francis prevost
during his teenage years at Saint Augustine's Seminary High School
in Holland, Michigan. Strom describes him as remarkably gifted, intellectually
(02:38):
and academically exceptional. Even as a young person, his capabilities
were evident to anyone who worked with him. The future
Pope Leo displayed an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Strom recalls
how he would absorb lessons with remarkable ease, as though
he were constantly ready for greater challenges. His learning style
suggested someone who grasped conte quickly and hungered for more
(03:01):
advanced material. Despite being well liked by his fellow seminarians,
the future Pope maintained a certain reserve. This wasn't shyness,
but rather a thoughtful composure that set him apart. His
peers respected him not only for his intelligence, but also
for his character and gentle manner. Learning about her former
(03:22):
student's papal election came as a complete shock. Strom was
driving when the announcement broke. Her granddaughter sent her a
text message about the new Pope being an Augustinian from Chicago. Initially,
she found this interesting but not particularly surprising. Then realization
struck As she read more details about the newly elected pontiff,
(03:43):
everything clicked into place. She suddenly remembered exactly where this
young man had sat in her classroom all those years ago.
She believes his combination of deep spiritual connection and worldly
experience makes him uniquely qualified for papal leadership. According to Storm,
his remarkably diverse background provides him with more practical experience
(04:04):
than previous popes have possessed. As for that background, we've
discussed before, the pope's connections to Madonna. Now, Henry Lewis
Gates Junior, the renowned host of the Emmy nominated PBS
program Finding Your Roots, has traveled to Vatican City to
share research findings with the pontiff. Gates presented Pope Leo
(04:27):
with comprehensive genealogical research that traced his ancestry back fifteen generations.
The results contained some truly surprising revelations about the Pope's
celebrity relatives and diverse heritage. The research confirmed that Pope
Leo shares family connections with several high profile figures. Among
his distant relatives are pop icon Madonna, Academy Award winning
(04:50):
actress Angelina Joe Lee and international music sensation Justin Bieber.
The family tree also reveals connections to former sen Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton, as well as both Pierre and
Justin Trudeau from Canada's political dynasty. These celebrity connections stem
from a shared maternal ancestor who lived during the fifteen nineties.
(05:13):
Pope Leo is actually a ninth cousin several times removed
to this notable group of public figures. The common ancestral
link spans more than four centuries of family history. Perhaps
even more significant than these celebrity connections is the discovery
of Pope Leo's multi racial heritage. Gates' research revealed that
(05:33):
the Pope has both Black and European ancestry, with family
lines that tell a complex story of American history. The
research also identified two freedom fighters within Pope Leo's ancestral line,
individuals who fought for justice and equality during their lifetimes.
These discoveries add depth to understanding the Pope's family background
(05:54):
and the diverse experiences that shaped his heritage. Gates described
the Attican meeting as profoundly meaningful. Following their encounter, he
shared his experience on social media, calling it one of
the most meaningful and deeply moving moments of our lives.
(06:19):
An intriguing tradition at Rome's Basilica of Saint Paul outside
the Walls has captured imaginations for centuries, and now the
anticipated edition of Pope Leo's mosaic portrait is reviving ancient
curiosities and persistent legends. As skilled artisans prepare the golden
medallion that will join the historic line of papal portraits
(06:41):
above the nave, an age old question emerges once again.
The practice of displaying portraits representing every pope, beginning with
Saint Peter himself, traces its origins back to the fifth century,
during the papacy of Pope Leo the first. These circular medallions,
known as tondy, create a continuous ring around the church's interior,
(07:01):
forming what could be described as a visual chronicle of
apostolic succession. However, this remarkable artistic tradition has also given
birth to a peculiar superstition that has persisted through the ages.
According to this legend, when all available spaces for papal
portraits are finally filled, the world will reach its end.
(07:22):
While this belief holds no official standing within church doctrine.
It continues to circulate among visitors and has gained renewed
attention with each papal election. The legend gained particular momentum
following the devastating fire of eighteen twenty three that destroyed
much of the Basilica and its precious mosaic collection. When
Pope Leo the twelfth initiated the reconstruction efforts, the new
(07:45):
series of mosaic portraits was necessarily limited in number due
to architectural constraints. Since that rebuilding, each new medallion has
brought the church incrementally closer to what some perceive as
a prophetic conclusion. With Pope Leo as the two hundred
sixty seventh Pope, the Basilica does edge closer to its
(08:05):
architectural capacity. However, visitors who have heard the legend might
be surprised to discover that dozens of spaces remain available
for future papal portraits. The supposed approaching limit exists more
in imagination than in reality.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.