Holy Cross Faculty Experts Share Insights on Papal Conclave, Benedict’s Successor with the Media
Students studying abroad in Rome offer local perspective to Boston journalists
Since Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation on Feb. 11, journalists from the U.S. and abroad have turned to faculty members at the College of the Holy Cross for insight into the historic event. With the pronouncement of a new pope expected as early as this week, Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies, and Rev. Thomas Worcester, S.J., professor of history, have commented in recent days about what to expect during the papal conclave, likely successors to Benedict, and political forces at play in selecting the next leader of the Catholic Church.
A regular contributor to the Washington Post’s “On Faith” blog, Schmalz has commented on Benedict’s resignation and related issues for the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, USA Today, NPR’s “Morning Edition,” and many local and regional print outlets.
Fr. Worcester, who teaches a course on the papacy, has provided historical context on Benedict’s shocking resignation for NPR’s “All Things Considered,” The Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and has published opinion pieces with FOXNews.com and the Huffington Post.
Members of the Boston media have also sought out Rev. William Clark, S.J., associate professor of religious studies, and Holy Cross students currently studying abroad in Rome for their thoughts on being at the Vatican during such a historically important time.
Journalists interested in speaking with students or faculty members for analysis of news coming out of the Vatican in the days and hours leading to the announcement of a new pope, should contact Kristine Maloney or Cristal Steuer at 508-793-2419.
Selected news coverage since March 1:
- Washington Post: “On Faith,” March 7 - “Can America fix Catholicism?”
- WTAG, March 7 – “Holy Cross Professor Talks About Upcoming Papal Conclave”
- Boston Herald, March 7 – “Daily press briefing ended after leaks”
- Washington Post: “On Faith,” March 11 – “Cardinal Dolan: pope or pope maker?”
- NECN/Worcester News Tonight, March 11 – “Expect the Unexpected with the Papal Conclave”
- NECN: “The Morning Show,” March 12 – “Conclave preview: What to expect”
- Washington Post: “On Faith,” March 12 - “The role of the Holy Spirit at the papal conclave”
- WBZ TV (Boston), March 12 -“Reporting From Rome: No One Surprised To See Black Smoke” (interview with Michael Trachy ’14 in Rome)
- WGBH Radio: “All Things Considered,” March 12 – “What Does a Higher-Profile Cardinal O’Malley Mean for Boston?”
- NECN: “The Morning Show,” March 13 – “Professor of religious studies on conclave”
- WTAG, March 13 – “Papal Expert talks about the search for a new Pope”
- WBUR: “Radio Boston,” March 13 – “A New Pope Elected”
For related news coverage prior to March 1 see: Media Worldwide Turn to Holy Cross Faculty for Comment on the Pope’s Resignation
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Both Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier canonized on March 12th (1622). First Jesuit Pope elected on March 13th (2013).