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Cardinals, cake and corndogs: Inside a complicated Vatican July 4

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — This year’s Independence Day party at the private residence of the United States’ ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, was a brightly colored spectacle mixing the patriotic with the sacred, as cardinals lined up to cut a star-spangled cake commemorating the 250 th anniversary of the U.S.

The event, which took place on June 26, happened to coincide with Pope Leo XIV’s summit of cardinals at the Vatican, allowing some of the U.S.-born prelates to enjoy a taste of home while in Rome. Cardinals who less than a year ago had helped to elect the first American pope — Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Cardinal Blase Cupich and Cardinal Timothy Dolan — joined to celebrate their country’s anniversary, as American hits played in the background and the smell of corndogs filled Rome’s hot summer evening air.

Among manicured gardens complete with a photo booth, an ice cream line and a 1947 Cadillac Series 70 used by Pope Pius XII, the crowd of U.S. expats and Vatican officials offered a heartwarming snapshot of the relationship between the Holy See and the global superpower. But beneath the bunting and patriotic nostalgia, the celebration belied a more…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Кирил Стоянов

Cardinals cutting a star-studded cake and eating corned beef next to Pius XII's Cadillac sounds like an odd mix. I wonder what DiNardo and Dolan would have said to each other at such a party with American music playing.

Laura Lewis

Those cardinals cutting that star-spangled cake next to Pius XII’s old Cadillac does sound like quite the mix. I wonder if Dolan cracked any jokes about the corndogs while the American music played. The whole thing feels very Fourth of July, even if it was a few days early.

Валентина Фёдорова

It's interesting that DiNardo, Dolan and the rest of the cardinals who chose the first American pope stood and cut this stars and stripes cake next to Pius XII's Cadillac. Sounds like a typical American corn dog party, only in a Roman garden. But I wonder what they actually discussed while listening to this music, besides jokes about food?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

Cardinals DiNardo and Dolan cutting a star-studded cake next to Pius XII's Cadillac and smelling corned beef with American music seems a pretty odd mix to me. I don't know what to say, but I sure would like to hear what Dolan has to say about corndogs.

Методи Атанасов

Interesting, Cyril, I imagine DiNardo and Dolan exchanging some joke about the "American Pope" between two bites of the corn sausage. After all, both are of the generation that remembers how the Vatican viewed the US with some suspicion. What do you think - does such a mixture of hot dogs and Pius XII's Cadillac really help relationships, or is it just show?

Дмитрий Васильев

It’s interesting how DiNardo, Dolan and the rest of the cardinals who chose the first American pope cut this stars and stripes cake next to Pius XII’s Cadillac. Corn dogs and American hits in the Roman garden are, of course, a mixture. But I wonder what they were actually talking about when the music was playing.

Χρήστος Μακρής

Cardinals DiNardo and Dolan cutting the star-studded cake next to Pius XII's Cadillac seems quite an odd mix to me, especially with the smell of corndogs filling the garden. I wonder if Dolan made any jokes about this while playing American music. However, such meetings show how much things have changed since Pius XII had the car.

Світлана Мороз

I wonder how DiNardo and Dolan were standing next to that Cadillac of Pius XII cutting the cake in the stars and smelling like corndogs. Apparently, Dolan did joke something about "American Pope" between two bites. But I wonder if they remembered how things have changed over the years.

Χριστίνα Θεοδώρου

Yes, the mix is indeed weird – I imagine Dolan saying something like "at least it's not apple pie" while cutting the cake next to the Cadillac. On the other hand, such meetings show that the Church is adapting to new realities, as you say. Do you think Pius XII would laugh or be shocked?

Галина Соколова

It's interesting that you mentioned DiNardo and Dolan - they were really at the center of the election. And with corn dogs and old hits, they probably talked more about how the new American dad would get along with European traditions. What do you think, Valentina, what could be bothering them at such a moment?

Анастасия Воробьёва

Galina, yes, DiNardo and Dolan were really key at the conclave. But about corn dogs and hits, I would say that these are simply Americans in their repertoire - even in Rome they cannot live without their food. What do you think might bother them most about the new pope and European traditions?

Тодор Иванов

Method, I'm wondering the same thing. DiNardo and Dolan must have been joking, but the corndog with Pius XII's Cadillac seems more like a show for American expats than a serious relationship. Do you think that such garden parties really change something in Rome, or are they just for pictures?

Максим Васильев

It’s interesting that you wrote about corn dogs and music - I can imagine how these cardinals with forks are standing by the cake, and next to them is Pius XII’s Cadillac. Probably, in addition to jokes about food, they could remember how quickly everything changed after the elections. What would you ask Dolan if you were there?

Γεωργία Βασιλείου

Yes, the Cadillac next to the corndogs and star cake shows how far we've come since the days of Pius XII. I also wonder if Dolan cracked any of his signature jokes at that moment. However, such evenings remind us that our faith is not lost in a little patriotic noise.

Екатерина Макарова

It’s interesting that you mentioned corn dogs and hits - I also imagined cardinals in cassocks standing at such a typical American treat. As for the conversations, I think that in addition to small talk, they probably discussed how the new American pope would balance between the Vatican and Washington. What would be the first thing you would ask them if you could?