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May 23, 2025
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Edgar Beltrán's avatar

In Italian, usually in "gli" the "g" is mute, so you don't say Paglia, Bergoglio, Figlio, aglio, instead you say Palia, Bergolio, Filio, alio.

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May 24, 2025
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Grace B's avatar

The g isn’t silent as much as it is kind of “swallowed”. I’m sure this isn’t super helpful as an American, but it’s called a palatized l and you do it by placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth before saying the l. It makes a sound like “yl” instead of a simple “l”.

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May 27, 2025
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Grace B's avatar

LOL! I’m a musician so I’m good at hearing & imitating accents but I don’t really know Italian grammar/verb conjugation.

Edgar Beltrán's avatar

You're right! I guess my Italian professor back then didn't want to over-complicate my life, haha.

Christian D's avatar

Awww yiss, Edgar's back on the podcast

Sue Korlan's avatar

Yes. The two Eds. Awesome combination.

Joseph Mastrangelo's avatar

Did that ad-read include a Spider-Man quote???

Rebecca R.'s avatar

“Ohhh, these Venezuelans, man” was good for a laugh — happy to have Edgar back on the podcast!

Paddy Olson's avatar

Leo may not impose…except when “sibi nomen imposuit Leonem Decimum Quartum.”

John's avatar

When Edgar and Ed discussed the idea of sponsoring various Vatican offices, all I could think of was “The Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith presented by Pepsi Max”

Sarah's avatar

Great to hear Edgar's insights on Rome and Latin America on the podcast. I also agree with his take that we're still in the honeymoon phase of this papacy. Which isn't a bad thing but it's also early still to claim too much with certainty about Pope Leo XIV yet.

Tom's avatar

One of the best things about the recent conclave coverage has been getting to meet and "know" Edgar and the other Pillar staff. This was a very interesting episode. I'd love to have a spinoff podcast series with Edgar and Luke talking about international church matters.

Mark McGowan's avatar

Although I think I understand from the context, could you explain exactly what is meant when you say “ say the red and do the black”. Also the derivation of the phrase. Thanks!

Edgar Beltrán's avatar

I meant it backwards (say the black and do the red). It comes from the missal. The things in black is what the priest is supposed to say, the things in red are the ones the priest is supposed to do. So "say the black and do the red" conveys a specific attitude towards liturgy, meaning that the priest should not do or say more or less than what's prescribed.

Mark McGowan's avatar

Thank you Edgar, for your almost instant reply! I wondered if it might be tied to the missal but had never heard it before. Very evocative for those of us who remember those missals.