Religious Studies | Penn Today

The challenges facing the first-ever American pope

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses what the global Catholic church expects from the first American pope.

RTÉ Prime Time

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses what an American pope means for U.S. Catholics.

Pope Leo XIV has Haitian, Louisiana Creole roots

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses how election to the papacy can change a person.

The new pope, Pope Leo, waves from St. Peter’s Basilica.

Q&A

Q&A: The first American pope

Melissa Wilde of the Department of Sociology, whose research has led her to the Vatican Secret Archive, among other places, discusses the new Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, and the implications for the Roman Catholic Church.

3 min. read

The long-shot African cardinals who could make papal history

In an opinion essay, Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences examines the likelihood of electing a pope from Africa.

Will we see the first-ever American pope? How USA’s image could come into play

Melissa Wilde of the School of Arts & Sciences looks at the possible outcomes of the papal conclave.

Conclave roundup: Some warned attacks against Francis were coming, but few think they will work

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences comments on the attacks on the late Pope Francis coming from some cardinals.

Vatican's 'May Madness': Will new pope be progressive or will church turn back the clock?

Melissa Wilde of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses age as a consideration in the selection of a new pope

The Pope’s legacy on social justice

Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences says Pope Francis’ successor “might not be somebody we expect.”

There will never be another pope like Francis

In an opinion essay, Anthea Butler of the School of Arts & Sciences evaluates the late Pope Francis’s unique life and reign, calling him a “pope for the 21st century.”

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