Before we start the show, you may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block all federal funding to NPR.

This is the latest in a series of threats to media organizations across the country.

Millions of people, people like you, depend on the NPR network as a vital source of news, entertainment, information, and connection.

We're proud to be here for you. And now more than ever,

we need you to be here for us. It is time to join the movement to defend public media. Please visit

donate.npr.org. And if you already support us via NPR Plus or another means, thank you. Your

support means so much to us. Now, more than ever. You help make

NPR shows freely available to everyone. We are proud to do this work for you and with you. Now,

on to the episode. On the eve of the conclave to elect the next pope, St. Peter Square in the Vatican is bustling

with activity. There are tourists and religious pilgrims. There are also a lot of reporters

waiting to spot the stars of the coming event, the Cardinals who will vote to elect the next

head of the Roman Catholic Church.

When any of them walked through the square, dressed in their black cassocks, straped with red sashes, and often holding briefcases, people swarm them.

As cardinals make their way through the square, they're being stopped by reporters and also

being stopped by people asking for blessings.

It's an interesting mix.

One of the big questions hanging in the air, whether the church will continue the path

Pope Francis set in softening its harsh positions on LGBTQ Catholics and whether they can

fully participate in the church. To better understand this tension point, we walked a few blocks

off the square. Thanks for meeting us.

Of course. Let's see if we can get a space in here.

And meet an American priest wearing a green Philadelphia Eagles cap.

...