‘The American Pope: Leo XIV,’ a special edition of ’20/20′
ABC News 20/20 05-09-2025
“The Catholic Church has been pro-immigrant, pro-rights of migrants and refugees, and when it runs into an administration like the current one in the United States, I do kind of expect some sparks to fly,” said Father Thomas Massaro, moral theology professor at Fordham University. This special is now streaming on Hulu.
Opinion | The New Pope Might Be Something Like the Old Pope
The New York Times 05-08-2025
“With the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the College of Cardinals sent a clear message of continuity with the reformist agenda of his predecessor Pope Francis,” wrote David Gibson, director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture.
Soviet Spacecraft Crash Lands on Earth After a Journey of Half a Century
The New York Times 05-10-2025
“Kosmos-482 is a reminder that, 50 years ago, the Soviet Union reached the planet Venus. Here is a physical artifact of that project, of that time,” said Asif Siddiqi, a historian at Fordham University who specializes in Soviet-era space and scientific activities. Siddiqi was also quoted about this topic in Scientific American.
Is pollen relief on the horizon in NYC? Don’t hold your breath just yet.
WNYC/Gothamist 05-08-2025
Pollen is in the air in New York City, and while the levels are currently declining due to recent rain and many trees losing their flowers, the reprieve will likely be temporary.
“We’ll get another peak toward the end of May,” said Dr. Guy Robinson, who runs the city’s only official pollen monitoring station, at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan.
Student delivers flower bouquets to seniors ahead of Mother’s Day
News 12 05-07-2025
Kreetana Bhusal, a Fordham University student, delivered nearly two dozen colorful bouquets to mothers who would have been alone for Mother’s Day. The student works as a “joygiver” for Careyaya, where she provides home care support for older adults.
College Students on Broadway
WCBS NY 05-07-2025
She’s a sophomore studying dance and film at New York’s Fordham University, attending some of her classes at the famous Alvin Ailey studios before making her way through Times Square to a place she’s always dreamt of being. “I can’t believe that I’m actually on Broadway and dancing and performing for thousands of people every day,” said Jhailyn Farcon, sophomore at Fordham University.
Pope Leo XIV must carefully thread needle between Catholic Church’s mission, US politics: Experts
ABC News 05-10-2025
David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University who has been in Rome all week, told ABC News that cardinals whom he spoke with do not see him as solely American, given his experience as a priest and missionary in South America.
He noted Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis rarely traveled outside of their home countries when they were cardinals and that Leo’s expertise on international relations will be beneficial during his tenure.
Warm American welcome for new pope masks US church’s deep divide
Reuters 05-09-2025
David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, said that Leo’s ascension cements the movement ignited by Francis to broaden the appeal of the church and make it accessible to more people. This article was picked up by Yahoo! News, AOL, MSN International, and U.S. News & World Report.
New Pope, New Era for Catholics
WNYC “The Brian Lehrer Show”
Catholics around the world are getting to know the new pontiff, Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States. David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, and Mollie Wilson O’Reilly, editor-at-large and columnist at Commonweal, talk about the direction the former Robert Francis Prevost, a native Chicagoan, might take the church. This article played on NPR stations nationally.
Where does the new pope stand on the big issues facing the Catholic Church?
NPR’s “Here & Now” 05-09-2025
But where does Pope Leo XIV stand on the major issues, like homosexuality and women’s role in the Church?
We speak with David Gibson, Catholic historian, author and director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture. This intertview played on NPR stations nationally.
An American pope? Not likely, say experts on the Vatican conclave assessing chance of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, others
Newsday 05-06-2025
The main issue for Tobin and others is that traditionally “you didn’t want to have an American pope, given that you had an American superpower,” said David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.
Pope Francis didn’t restore women deacons, but LI woman still thinks it’s possible
Newsday 05-02-2025
[David] Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University. “There aren’t the numbers to elect a real strong conservative,” said David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University.
The Real Conclave
The Bunker Podcast 05-07-2025
Cardinals are gathering in the Vatican from today, as they work to elect a new Pope. @rostaylor.bsky.social spoke with @gibsonwrites.bsky.social to discuss who they might choose and why.
Black smoke again on morning of conclave’s 2nd day signals no pope elected yet
National Catholic Reporter 05-08-2025
“The second day is when the voting gets real and everything moves fast. The first vote was a big sort, a shakeout where you finally see what the electors are really thinking, not just what they are saying,” veteran Vatican journalist David Gibson told the National Catholic Reporter. “Then it gets real.” “If someone emerges as a front runner you start to think, ‘Do I really want to see him as pope?’ And maybe you shift to another candidate who you may not initially have backed but who you could live with or even love as pope,” said Gibson, who serves as the director of Fordham University’s Center for Religion and Culture.
The cardinals are in conclave. What happens next?
America Magazine 05-07-2025
In today’s episode from Rome, the team discusses: The protocols being followed by the cardinals in conclave, the “habemus papam” moment, what the pope wears and other telling symbolic gestures and what happens in the days immediately following the election of a pope? This episode featured David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center for Religion and Culture.
An American Pope (America Papam Habet!)
Townhall.com 05-12-2025
Echoing the sentiments of many cardinals, David Gibson of Fordham University rejected the idea that an American would take Peter’s chair, since church leadership usually avoids electing someone connected with a global superpower. Robert Prevost was not a likely contender for the Papacy, according to online betting markets, certainly.
Pope Leo XIV Gives First Blessing (video unavailable)
WABC-NY 05-11-2025
“Obviously the cardinals decided on this man because of his holiness, his dedication to his ministry over the years, 20 years in Peru, other years serving the church as an administrator in Rome over the Augustinian order, and in Peru as a bishop, and the last two years serving in Rome at a very important job. It’s called the dicastery for bishops, kind of a close advisor of Pope Francis,” said Fr. Thomas Massaro, professor at Fordham University.
Leo XIV elected first American pope (video unavailable)
CNN “The Brief With Jim Sciutto” 05-08-2025
“I was shocked. I’m delighted, but this is the second surprising conclave in a row. So in 2013, Francis was elected,” said Thomas Massaro, S.J. “I’’m a Jesuit priest teaching here at Fordham University in New York City, and i kept saying for decades oh, they’ll never be a jesuit pope and then there was in 2013 and i’ve said it even longer they’ll never be an american potent, and here we are in 2025 with a wonderful choice.
Pope Leo XIV: Why it’s significant he’s the first American pope
Sky News (UK) 05-09-2025
To discuss this on today’s Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson are Barbara Serra, who has been covering the conclave for Sky News, and Father Thomas Massaro from New York’s Fordham University.
Cardinals break with tradition, electing the first American Pontiff
ABC (Australian national broadcasting) 05-09-2025
Who is Robert Prevost, the US cardinal elected as new Pope Leo XIV?
GUEST: Thomas Massaro, Jesuit Priest and the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University. He’s also the author of Mercy in Action: The Social Teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Francis as Moral Leader.
Will NYC’s Cardinal Dolan or another American become pope in the next conclave? Not likely, say experts
amNY 04-29-2025
“I don’t think that a worldwide body of men representing all the countries that they do, especially the Third World ones, the global south cardinals, would want the hegemonic USA to have the economic and military power, and then also the ecclesial religious power,” Father Thomas Massaro, a professor of moral theology at Fordham University told amNewYork.
Pope Leo’s message as he begins his Papacy
CBS News 05-09-2025
The Catholic Church makes history electing its first American Pope. Pope Leo celebrating his first mass as Pontiff inside the Sistine Chapel. Father Thomas Massaro, Professor of Moral Theology at Fordham University, details the monumental moment, and what’s next for the new Pope.
Day 2 of the Conclave continues after black smoke appears again
CBS News 05-08-2025
We saw black smoke come from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel for a second time earlier this morning signaling still no new Pope. Father Thomas Massaro, Professor of Moral Theology at Fordham University, explains what’s next.
Let the conclave begin!
WABC 05-07-2025
Experts don’t think American cardinals, including New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan have much of a shot at becoming the next pope. Father Thomas Massaro at Fordham University says history shows that cardinals from major world powers traditionally don’t get chosen.
Pope Francis’ successor likely to be in his 70s, papal experts say
Newsday 05-06-2025
“Nobody wants to have the prospect of a 30-year papacy again. It’s just too much of the same thing for too long,” said the Rev. Thomas Massaro, a Jesuit priest and professor of moral theology at Fordham University.
“It’s just not good for the church to have one single leader,” he said. “That’s why we get men elected in their 70s, and that’s really kind of the sweet spot.”
Early clues hint how Pope Leo may lead Catholic Church. What did experts notice?
The Miami Herald 05-09-2025
Cristina Traina, professor at Fordham University who specializes in Catholic ethics, said she also thinks he was trying to speak globally rather than just focusing on the U.S. While Trainia said she does think it was a deliberate choice to not speak in English in his first address, she also said it could have come down to how quickly everything was moving. This article was picked up by MSN.
What happens now after a pope is selected?
NewsNation 05-08-2025
Cristina Traina, a religious studies professor at Fordham University, joins NewsNation Now to discuss what happens next in the process of choosing a pope.
Watch & Listen
Bloomberg Television 05-08-2025
Today on Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power early edition at 1 p.m., hosts Kailey Leinz and Michael Shepard interviewed Cristie Traina, professor of Catholic theology at Fordham University, about the issues that will be facing the new pope.
Pope Francis championed inclusion. LGBTQ Catholics hope a new pope will finish what he started.
CBS News 05-07-2025
Cristina Traina, a professor in the Theology department at Fordham University, says the language used in the catechism to describe homosexuality doesn’t easily translate into everyday life. “You could read [“objectively disordered”] as just a technical term, but people read it as fundamentally evil and broken,” Traina said. “It’s a technical term, but it certainly does not work pastorally.” This article was picked up by MSN, AOL, Yahoo! News, and 7 other outlets.
Who are the top contenders to be the next pope? Experts weigh in
ABC News 05-07-2025
Cristina Traina, religious studies professor at New York’s Fordham University, said Parolin is someone who is “extraordinarily versed in the internal workings of the Vatican, but that could count against him if they are interested in continuing Vatican reforms.”
Black smoke on second round of voting, no pope elected | Live updates
WABC 7 05-09-2025
And Father Bryan Massingale of Fordham University explains why no American cardinals are listed among the leading contenders.
Will there ever be a pope from the United States?
ABS-CBN News 05-05-2025
But whoever it is, the choice is very unlikely to be from the United States, according to Father Bryan Massingale, a professor at the Jesuit Fordham University in New York. “Candidates from the United States, cardinals from the United States enter [the papal conclave]with somewhat of a handicap. Because the United States is such a major global force in the world, I think many are reluctant to add the power of the papacy also to the United States’s power in the world,” Massingale said while speaking from the Fordham University Church.
What Name Will the Next Pope Choose?
National Catholic Register 05-05-2025
That was more than 250 years ago. But reaching far back in time for a name might be a good idea for the new pope, said Jesuit Father Thomas Worcester, a Fordham University history professor. “I would be happy to see the new name reach back to a name that hasn’t been used in a long while,” Father Worcester told the Register, citing Leo and Clement as strong possibilities.
Cautious Optimism Among Liberals About New Pope’s Views on Gay Catholics
The New York Times 05-08-2025
Michael Sennett, a master’s student in pastoral care at Fordham University, was part of a delegation of transgender and intersex people who traveled to Rome last October for an audience with Pope Francis. Mr. Sennett said he was deeply affected by the new pope’s emotional greeting of the crowd at the Vatican on Thursday.
Why Did Pope Leo XIV Choose That Name? Here’s What History Suggests
Biography 05-09-2025
“And the outcome was what his faith had foreseen; for when the king had received the embassy, he was so impressed by the presence of the high priest that he ordered his army to give up warfare and, after he had promised peace, he departed beyond the Danube,” Prosper wrote, according to Fordham University. This article was picked up by Yahoo! News.
Writers Guild West Strike Discipline Largely Upheld In Close Member Vote
The Hollywood Reporter 05-09-2025
Meanwhile, a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions has demonstrated that, under the National Labor Relations Act, an individual union “has the power to protect against the erosion of its status through reasonable discipline of members who violate rules and regulations governing membership,” says Fordham School of Law professor James Brudney, who specializes in labor and employment law. This article was picked up by Yahoo! News and MSN.
J.D. advantage jobs offer non-traditional opportunities for legal careers
The National Jurist 05-07-2025
Barbara Boehler, senior director of Fordham Law School’s Compliance Program, has seen this for herself. Boehler has worked in compliance for most of her career. As a result, she knows how beneficial a law school education is for any compliance role.
…
Hillary Mantis is the assistant dean of Fordham University’s Pre-Law Program and the author of “Alternative Careers for Lawyers.” She advises most students to attend law school with the intent of practicing law, yet a J.D. is a very broad-based degree, which can lead to a wide variety of career options.
Beyond Dialogue: Igniting Racial Justice in a Shifting Political Landscape
Non-Profit Quarterly
A panel moderated by Tanya Katerí Hernández, Archibald R. Murray Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law, explored the critical role of legal strategy in protecting philanthropic work dedicated to racial justice in a challenging climate.
“She’s the coolest motherf****r”: Patricia Clarkson’s favorite role yet is an American hero
Salon 05-08-2025
“My mother, I think, understood that I really loved working, I really was fierce. I was very independent as a child. I was gregarious. I was outgoing. I left New Orleans and transferred to Fordham University, my alma mater, and then I went to Yale School of Drama, and both were remarkable schools, made me a better actress, and gave me the career I have,” said Patricia Clarkson. This article was picked up by Yahoo! Entertainment.
Diddy’s powerhouse lawyer doesn’t drink, smoke, curse: What to know about Brian Steel
Fox News
Sean “Diddy” Combs added high-profile criminal defense lawyer Brian Steel to his team in the
weeks prior to his sex-trafficking trial.
Steel began his career as a tax attorney at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Fordham University School of Law. This article was picked up by Yahoo! and MSN.
Joseph Nocella, Jr. Appointed Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District Of New York
Department of Justice 05-05-2025
Judge Nocella graduated from Chaminade High School in 1982, received his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in 1986 and graduated from Columbia University School of Law in 1989.
Who Are the Top Lawyers Sean “Diddy” Combs Hired For His Dream Defense Team?
The Hollywood Reporter 05-05-2025
A recent addition to the defense team, Brian Steel is famous not only for a recent New Yorker profile, but for defending a famous rapper against a RICO charge, as is the case with Combs. Steel previously represented rapper Young Thug in Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.
Steel attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree and then Fordham Law, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1990. After Young Thug pleaded out and managed to walk free after the 22-month trial, he had a Drake song named for him.
