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.

Read a Nov. 16, 2012, MSNBC article about the ‘Evangelical Immigration Table.”

Shoulder to Shoulder is a national, interfaith campaign “dedicated to ending anti-Muslim sentiment.” More than two dozen faith-based groups have joined the coalition, which has denounced North Carolina’s anti-Shariah law. Christina Warner is campaign director; she can be reached through publicist Samantha Friedman.