Duane Kelderman is vice president for administration and an associate professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich. In 2003, he participated in the school’s forum on seminary education and contributed an article, “Is Seminary Education for Pastors Still Necessary,” to its journal.

Rockbridge Seminary is the nation’s first online-only seminary. Its offices are in Springfield, Mo. It reports an enrollment rate growing at 29 percent. Contact through President Daryl Eldridge.

John Bolt is a professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich. In 2003, he participated in a Calvin forum on seminary education and contributed an article titled “Warning! Seminary Education May Be Hazardous to Your Spiritual Health” to its journal.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that as of 2010, 39 percent of the world’s Catholics live in Latin America and nearly three-quarters of that region’s population is Catholic.

Read a March 11, 2013, account by journalist John Thavis about the last conclave, in which Bergoglio was reportedly runner-up for the papacy.

CNN reported an enthusiastic response from Latin America, and leaders of other faith groups in that region told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette they were pleased by Francis’ elevation and had had a good rapport with him during his time as a cardinal.

The Associated Press posted a video on YouTube of the white smoke that signaled a decision had been made.

The World Jewish Congress is the international organization that represents Jewish communities and organizations in 100 countries around the world. It advocates on their behalf towards governments, parliaments, international organizations and other faiths.  

A March 8, 2012, Religion News Service article describes a study from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life that found that Jews are the world’s most migratory group.