The Rev. Giuseppe Tanzella-Nitti is an Opus Dei priest and a professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He previously was an astronomer and researcher at the Observatory of Turin in Turin, Italy. He is editor of The Interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Religion and Science, where he tackled the […]

Federico Squarcini is an associate professor of religion at Università Ca’ Foscari in Venice, Italy. He is the co-author of Hare Krishna: Studies in Contemporary Religions. His research focuses primarily on South Asian religions.

The Rev. Eugenio Fizzotti is a Catholic priest and a professor at the Papal University of the Salesians in Rome and at the University of Urbino, where he teaches psychology of religion. He is co-founder of the Viktor Frankl Institut in Vienna and president of the European Association of Existential Analysis (ALAEF). He has authored […]

Elda Brogi is the Scientific Coordinator of European University Institute’s Center for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom. Elda’s main interests span Constitutional, European and Media law. She teaches Information and Communication Law at the University of Florence. She is a member of the Committee of Experts on Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists at the […]

Giulio Agostini currently lives in Milan and specializes in Indian Buddhism, as well as in classical Chinese, Tibetan, Sanskrit and Pali materials. Previously a faculty member at the University of California, Berkley, he continues to pursue his research and publish in about Vinaya and Hinayana literature and lay Buddhism in ancient India.

A March 16, 2013, Fox News story outlined Francis’ plans to visit his predecessor, a meeting that — though private — may offer hints on how the two men will handle their extraordinary situation.

In another March 15, 2013, RNS article, the Vatican defended Francis’ actions during Argentina’s 1970s military dictatorship.

A March 15, 2013, RNS story gives behind-the-scenes details of the selection process.

An RNS analysis describes Francis as “a pope of paradox for a church in transition.”