Apr 30, 2025
1 min
Dr. Julie Byrne, Hofstra University’s Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies and chair of the Department of Religion, spoke to several media outlets following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21.
She told the McClatchy Newspapers that Francis’ openness helped him become popular among people of different faiths. “The Catholic Church has, at some points, seemed under recent papacies to be more insular and more interested in policing its boundaries and more interested in advocacy for Catholics only,” she said, noting that Francis helped people of other faiths feel advocated for.
USA Today News Network talked to Dr. Byrne about Conservatives worrying about Pope Francis’ teachings on morality, attacks on capitalism, and stance on issues like abortion and contraception. The “so-called bedroom issues have always been important to conservatives, and to Catholic conservatives,” Dr. Byrne said. While Francis did not change church doctrine, he showed a willingness to loosen the rules on who should receive Communion or forgiveness for their sins. “When Francis lightens up on that,” Byrne said, “people wonder what’s next.”
The Professor and Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies at Hofstra University
1 min
Dr. Meena appeared on WNYW-TV Fox 5 to discuss the New York City mayoral race and the New Jersey gubernatorial race, the high turnout for early voting, and why the nation will be closely monitoring the election results in our area. Dr. Bose is a Hofstra University professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency.
1 min
Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to WNYW Fox 5 about the Nassau County Executive race and how the results might offer a preview of political shifts throughout New York state and the country. “You can see both candidates are trying to nationalize the race,” Levy said. “How well one party or the other does will give political operatives a good idea of where things are headed in 2026.”
1 min
James Sample, professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, was recently featured in an ABC News segment examining high-profile cases and controversies involving the Department of Justice. As a legal contributor, he discussed the constitutional and ethical issues at the center of this national story.
Check out some other posts from Hofstra University
1 min
Dr. Meena appeared on WNYW-TV Fox 5 to discuss the New York City mayoral race and the New Jersey gubernatorial race, the high turnout for early voting, and why the nation will be closely monitoring the election results in our area. Dr. Bose is a Hofstra University professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency.
1 min
Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to WNYW Fox 5 about the Nassau County Executive race and how the results might offer a preview of political shifts throughout New York state and the country. “You can see both candidates are trying to nationalize the race,” Levy said. “How well one party or the other does will give political operatives a good idea of where things are headed in 2026.”
1 min
James Sample, professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, was recently featured in an ABC News segment examining high-profile cases and controversies involving the Department of Justice. As a legal contributor, he discussed the constitutional and ethical issues at the center of this national story.
