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Kevin White, a Ph.D. Candidate in History and a Protestant, puts the election of Pope Francis into a larger historical context in a recent post at MereOrthodoxy.com.

This new Pope Francis is already an unexpected sort of pope.

It is, of course, too early to declare a definitive take on Pope Francis’ reign. ... By looking at who he is, the name he took, and the first impression he gave, we can already see much that is significant. So far, the theme of his election seems to be “novelty following precedent.’

Originally article at KQED, http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2013/03/13/new-pope-chosen/

Following the selection of Pope Francis, Catholics across the spectrum are reacting to his record on issues.

People of diverse religious backgrounds encounter each other daily in coffee shops, hospitals, classrooms, and around the dinner table. What might these encounters teach us about ourselves, our neighbors, or about God?

At an upcoming symposium, Sunstone West, sponsored by the Mormon publication Sunstone Magazine, the first plenary session will be dedicated to the topic of Mormon Studies at the GTU and the Academy. Included among the plenary speakers are GTU Dean and Professor of Christian Sprituality Arthur Holder, doctoral student Michael Reed, and alumna Sheila Taylor (Ph.D. '11) with Adjunct Professor Robert Rees moderating. Rees and Taylor are featured speakers throughout the symposium.

Debra Mumford (Ph.D. '05) lauds her experience at the GTU for preparing her extensively for the classroom, but then discovered everything else that comes with being a professor.

David R. Henson (M.A. '09) responds to the controversial "DJesus Uncrossed" sketch on Saturday Night Live on February 16, taking aim at the way Jesus has been used for violence.

Participants for the Center for Jewish Studies' and Center for Islamic Studies' annual Madrasa-Midrasha Day of Learning gathered at Easton Hall o

In a surprise announcement Monday, Pope Benedict XVI said he would resign this month after less than eight years in office. He's the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, when Pope Gregory XII stepped down, and the first to have done so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294.

Sr. Marianna Farina, DSPT, participating in KQED's Forum on the topic, discussed potential sucessors and the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and worldwide.

Originally article at KQED, http://blogs.kqed.org/newsfix/2013/02/11/new-pope-not-likely-to-soften-s...

With the announced resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, many are wondering about the potential changes with the selection of a new pope.