Papal Media Resources
Sacred Heart University scholars are readily available to comment on Pope Francis, the conclave process and the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known throughout the world as Pope Francis, has been embraced and celebrated within the Sacred Heart University community since his ordination in 2013.
In 2017, SHU became the first Catholic university in the United States to name a building after Pope Francis with the dedication of Bergoglio Hall, a residence hall. Inspired by the pope’s teachings, the University launched the Bergoglio Lecture Series, which features notable leaders in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Additionally, SHU is proudly part of the Laudato Si’ network, a global coalition of Catholic institutions committed to the environmental and social teachings of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
Jorge Bergoglio Hall at Sacred Heart University
Jorge Bergoglio Hall at Sacred Heart University
Students, faculty and staff gather at Bergoglio Hall for a Social Justice Week event.
A mural by Professor Nathan Lewis featuring Pope Francis and student life at Sacred Heart is installed at Bergoglio Hall.
Rabbi Abraham Skorka, a close friend of Pope Francis since childhood, offered the keynote remarks at the dedication of Jorge Bergoglio Hall in 2016.
Papal Experts, Coverage & More
To connect with an expert, contact Executive Director of Communications Deb Noack at noackd@sacredheart.edu or 203-396-8483.
Daniel Rober, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Catholic Studies
Media: CBS News, Commonweal, WNYC, Miami Herald, WTNH, Fortune, Washington Post, Newsday, Vanity Fair
Charles Gillespie, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of Pioneer Journey
Media: NBC 30, People Magazine
TV Interviews
Dr. Dan Rober speaks on first American pope: WFSB 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober interviewed)
'Astounding.' Connecticut reacts to first pope from the US to lead Catholic Church: News 12 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie interviewed)
The American Pope: Leo XIV—Special Edition of 20/20: ABC 5/9/25 (Professor Gillespie interviewed at 28:12)
Catholic studies professor details Pope Francis’ impact on church: CBS News 4/21/25 (Prof. Dan Rober interviewed)
News Clips
“Finding Your Roots”' Henry Louis Gates Jr. Presents Pope Leo with Family Tree, Confirming His Surprising Celebrity Relatives: Yahoo! News 7/10/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Pope Leo, Catholic Boomer?: First Things 6/23/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Pope Leo wades into business regulation, preaching the idea of an ethical AI framework to tech executives": Fortune 6/20/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
How Pope Leo XIV might respond to Trump policies, according to experts: Newsday 5/15/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Pope Leo XIV’s Salary: How Much Will He Earn and What Perks Come with the Position?: News 24 New York 5/13/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Pope Leo XIV as counterweight to Trump: Westfair Business Journal 5/13/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
White Smoke and Speculation: The Election of Pope Leo XIV: International Policy Digest 5/12/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, is remarkable for another reason: NBC News 5/9/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
This is the exact salary the first American Pope, Leo XIV, will receive: MSN 5/9/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
CT reacts: ‘I never thought for a minute an American would be elected pope’: CT Mirror 5/9/25 (Prof Brian Stiltner quoted)
What Does American Pope Leo XIV's Name Mean? New Pontiff's Historical Appointment Explored: PinkVilla 5/9/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Which Conclave Character Is New Pope Robert Prevost Most Like?: Vanity Fair 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Chooses Papal Name with a Long History. What That Could Mean: People Magazine 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Pope Leo XIV Made History by Becoming First American Pontiff. Why Experts Are 'Surprised and Excited' (Exclusive): People Magazine 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Pope Leo XIV Elected, Robert Prevost Becomes First American Pope in History: Newsweek 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Who Is Robert Prevost? New Pope Leo XIV Announced: Newsweek 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
'Floored, stunned and full of hope': Reactions to election of Pope Leo XIV: National Catholic Reporter 5/8/25 (Dr. Michelle Loris quoted)
The election of Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, is historic for the Catholic Church and its members: CT Post 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
5 takeaways from Robert Prevost’s election as first American pope: The Hill 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
What Happens After a New Pope is Selected? From Emerging onto the Balcony to More Practical Matters (Exclusive): People Magazine 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
Pope Francis Successor Likely to be in his 70s, papal experts say: Newsday 5/8/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
LGBTQ+ community watches conclave and hopes Francis’ progressive moves endure: Orange County Register 5/8/25 (Prof. Michelle Loris quoted)
How Long Do Conclaves Last? Looking Back at the Longest and Messiest, According to Experts (Exclusive): People Magazine 5/7/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie quoted)
What ‘Conclave’ gets right—and wrong—about papal politics: Washington Post 5/6/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Pope Francis could’ve been paid as much as the president, but instead gave his substantial salary away to the poor and needy: Fortune 5/1/25 (Prof. Dan Rober quoted)
Contributor Dan Rober Joins the Brian Lehrer Show to Talk Francis, Papal Transition: Commonweal Magazine 4/24/25 (Prof. Dan Rober interviewed)
Fairfield-Based Sacred Heart University Remembers Pope Francis: Milford Patch 4/22/25
Sacred Heart University holds memorial mass for Pope Francis: NBC CT 4/22/25
Op-Eds
The legacy of Pope Francis. 'A humble man of serious moral authority': Middletown Press 5/1/25 (By Prof. Dan Rober)
Pope Francis: A legacy of love: CT Mirror 5/1/25 (By Prof. Michelle Loris)
How Pope Francis inspired my students through his outreach to LGBTQ Catholics: Outreach 4/29/25 (By Prof. Michelle Loris)
The Church in Motion: Commonweal Magazine 4/23/25 (By Prof. Dan Rober)
Radio Clips
How Pope Leo Can Bring People Together: The Lisa Wexler Show 5/15/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie)
World Leaders congratulate newly appointed Pope: The World Today (Australia) 5/8/25 (Prof. Charlie Gillespie interviewed)
CT Today with Paul Pacelli: WICC 5/7/25 (Prof. Michelle Loris joins Pacelli at approx. 9:00)
What Direction Will a New Pope Take the Catholic Church? The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC 4/24/25 (Prof. Dan Rober interviewed)
Melissa in the Morning: The Life And Legacy Of Pope Francis: WICC 4/24/25 (Prof. Michelle Loris interviewed)
Sacred Heart University honors Pope Francis with special mass: WSHU 4/22/25
Francis to the Future: A Papal Discussion Series
Part I
Part II
Part III
SHU's Laudato Si’ Iniative
Sacred Heart University is dedicated to the Pope’s Laudato Si’ environmental initiative. Visit the Laudato Si' Initiative website to learn more about the University’s work in raising awareness.
Go, Rebuild My House
In keeping with the tradition and following the vision of Francis of Assisi, the Go, Rebuild My House blog was developed to assist in rebuilding a church in a time of disunity and spiritual decay. A recent post about "Pope Francis and the Journey Forward" pays tribute to him.
