The Pete and Sebastian Show – EP 671: “HOLY CAST! w/ special guest Jacqueline Corbelli”
Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Studio71
Guests: Jacqueline Corbelli (special guest)
Theme: A rare, comedic deep-dive behind the Vatican walls, as Pete, Sebastian, and their guest Jacqueline Corbelli explore what life is really like in Vatican City—from dining with the Pope to the city’s quirks and privileges.
Episode Overview
In this special episode, Pete Correale and Sebastian Maniscalco are joined by Jacqueline Corbelli, an accomplished leader in technology and social innovation who, through years of close professional work, has had unprecedented access to the Vatican and Pope Francis himself. The conversation promises an insider’s comedic and awe-struck exploration of life inside Vatican City, peppered with curiosity, playful skepticism, and the duo’s signature banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jacqueline’s Connection to the Vatican
[05:51]
- Jacqueline’s Vatican involvement is voluntary and spans about nine years, focusing on supporting Pope Francis’ poverty and social agenda through leadership forums ("two to three times a year").
- Her affiliation originated with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, teaming up on poverty reduction projects in Africa, which eventually drew Pope Francis’ personal interest.
2. Staying at the Vatican: Daily Life & Surreal Moments
[08:24]
- When in Rome, Jacqueline stays at Casa Santa Marta, the residence chosen by Pope Francis instead of the opulent Papal Palace.
- “First time I go...I go into the dining room...I look over at, basically, the salad bar, and [the Pope’s] standing there with his plate, like, serving his own salad. It was crazy.” — Jacqueline [09:16]
- The setting is both grand (“stone and marble...solid wood doors”) and humble (“tiny little room with a twin bed and a cross over the top”).
3. Papal Lifestyle & Vatican Traditions
[10:16]
- The Pope’s relaxation attire is rarely “relaxed,” always in a white cassock but sometimes hatless.
- Sebastian probes the ambiance: “Is it the equivalent of staying at a five star, five diamond resort or do you feel you're at the Residence Inn?” [10:55]
- Jacqueline explains the contrast between the luxury of the Papal Palace and the simpler Santa Marta.
4. Rules & Customs Inside Vatican Walls
[13:31]
- Married guests (including Jacqueline and her husband) sleep in separate rooms: “You can't be like in the presence of the Pope [together], I guess...” — Jacqueline [13:31]
- "No frolicking in the Vatican," says Jacqueline—there is a pool and fitness club, but the vibe is distinctly reserved. [16:57]
5. Modern Amenities and Contrasts
[18:03]
- Despite Italy’s sometimes old-school infrastructure, the Vatican’s facilities impress. “By the way, they also play pickleball at the Vatican.” — Sebastian [18:03]
- There’s high security, gold key access, and even private tunnels:
- “You get a gold key, and the gold key gives you access to the back entrance of St. Peter’s...that was like, a little crazy.” — Jacqueline [18:56]
- Security is tight, with multiple checks when entering/leaving and staff getting to know regulars.
6. Dining, Wine, and Daily Routines
[21:36]
- All-day sessions often include wine (not cocktails): “When you go down for dinner, they open up the big, you know, terrace...statues and grottos and all this stuff. But it's not cocktails. It's wine. It's always wine.” — Jacqueline [21:36]
- The food is “good, healthy, but sometimes I prefer my Italian grandmother’s cooking.” [22:16]
- Has Jacqueline shared wine with the Pope? "In the same room, but I've never sat down and had a glass of wine with him." — Jacqueline [22:47]
7. The Human Side of the Pope
[23:28]
- Pete and Sebastian press: does the Pope listen to podcasts or enjoy media? Jacqueline describes him as “fun, funny...smiling, shaking people's hands...just a cool guy.” [23:28]
- Pope Francis longed for more public interaction but security and protocol limit him—he was even stopped from mingling with immigrants after one discrete venture. [26:39]
8. Vatican City as a Real City
[28:29, 39:01]
- Vatican City is a functional municipality with cars, parking lots, a pharmacy, dry cleaner, supermarket, and gas station.
- “It's weird for us, like to walk in there. You never can quite wrap your head around it.” — Jacqueline [28:29]
- Only privileged guests—family, while on business—can join for meals; most Vatican workers never meet the Pope in person. [40:30]
- Fun fact: Vatican City covers 121 acres. [39:47]
9. Celebrities and Events in the Vatican
[31:46, 37:01]
- Famous faces do turn up, mostly at the Papal Palace’s events. There are many theaters and venues inside the Vatican, some seating up to 6300 people.
- “There's probably something like, I don't know, maybe even 75, 80 different, like, incredible places inside the Vatican that will blow your mind.” — Jacqueline [37:17]
10. Quirks, Laughs, and Closing Notes
- Pete and Sebastian imagine a future where Sebastian has coffee—or even does standup—with the Pope. [03:46, 43:03]
- Jacqueline’s dog is named “Pope Francis”—an Italian family in-joke. [38:25]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Popes in the Cafeteria:
“I look over at, basically, the salad bar, and he's standing there with his plate, like, serving his own salad. It was crazy.”
— Jacqueline [09:16] -
On Vatican Pool Etiquette:
“No frolicking in the Vatican. But there are people, like, they work and live there...it's part of the club, like, they have a fitness club.”
— Jacqueline [16:57] -
On the Pope’s Attire:
“His most relaxed state is in a white, like, cassock. And he sometimes doesn't have his pontiff's hat on, like, the little white one. But that's about it.”
— Jacqueline [10:16] -
On Vatican Entry Perks:
“You get a gold key, and the gold key gives you access to the back entrance of St. Peter’s...That was really cool.”
— Jacqueline [18:56] -
On the Vatican’s Contradictions:
“It's full of contradictions, I guess I would say.”
— Jacqueline [18:18] -
On Life in Vatican City:
“You never can quite wrap your head around it. Like even now I can't really wrap my head around it because in some ways it seems like so day to day and you're like want to slap yourself and say, this is the Vatican, you know?”
— Jacqueline [28:29]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [05:00] – Jacqueline joins the show; introductions
- [05:51] – Jacqueline describes her job and how she became affiliated with the Vatican
- [08:24] – First time staying at Casa Santa Marta; seeing the Pope as a “regular guy”
- [10:16] – Discussion about papal attire, daily routines, and luxury vs. austerity
- [13:31] – Unusual Vatican customs: separate rooms for married guests
- [16:33] – The Vatican’s private pool and fitness amenities
- [18:03] – Surprising details: pickleball at the Vatican and fitness club standards
- [18:56] – The “gold key” and secret Vatican entrances
- [20:29] – Security procedures, getting in and out of Vatican City
- [21:36] – Meals, wine, and social gatherings inside the Vatican
- [23:28] – Is the Pope approachable? Does he joke, listen to podcasts?
- [26:39] – The challenges of Pope Francis trying to mix with the public
- [28:29] – Vatican as functional city: cars, stores, parks
- [31:46] – Celebrities in the Vatican and venues for events
- [38:25] – Jacqueline shares story about naming her dog Pope Francis
- [39:01] – The scope of Vatican City (121 acres), more details on city life
- [40:44] – Most Vatican workers never actually meet the Pope
- [43:03] – Closing banter, dreams of performing/wining with the Pope
Tone & Style
Casual, irreverent, but deeply curious, Pete and Sebastian bring their signature humor and everyman lens to the Vatican’s mystique. Jacqueline plays along, offering both genuine awe and grounded pragmatism about a remarkably rarefied world.
Final Takeaway
This episode deconstructs the Vatican’s “untouchable” image, revealing a world rich with tradition, quirks, and genuine humanity. From pickleball to pontiffs pouring their own salad dressing, Pete and Sebastian transform the mystical into the relatable, with all the questions you’d ever want to ask—plus a few only they would.
Highly recommended for anyone fascinated by the Vatican, Italian culture, or just looking for a laugh-filled journey behind the world’s most famous walls.