Featured Post from Hofstra University

Pope’s Openness Appealed to Other Faiths

Apr 30, 2025

1 min

Julie Byrne

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.”

Connect with:
Julie Byrne

Julie Byrne

Professor and Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies

The Professor and Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies at Hofstra University

Religion and Popular CultureReligion and SportsPope FrancisIndependent CatholicsRoman Catholics
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Hofstra University

1 min

Analyzing Legal Implications of Venezuela Intervention

Hofstra Law Professor James Sample has emerged as a leading legal analyst in national and regional media following the U.S. operation involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, offering expert commentary on constitutional authority, international law, and criminal procedure. Professor Sample appeared across major television, radio, and digital platforms, including ABC News, CBS New York, MS NOW, and Pacifica Radio, as developments unfolded surrounding the capture and federal prosecution. In multiple ABC News segments, Professor Sample analyzed the legality of the Venezuela operation under international law, characterizing the action as a potential violation of the United Nations Charter, and explained what to expect procedurally at the arraignment of Maduro and his wife on federal charges. His commentary also addressed the broader implications of asserting U.S. jurisdiction over a sitting foreign head of state.

1 min

Affordability is Key Issue for NYS Lawmakers

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, talked to Newsday about New York State lawmakers returning to session with a mandate to address affordability, specifically childcare and rising utility and health care costs.

1 min

Is Maduro Ouster In Line with Trump’s “America First” Mantra?

In an article about the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Dr. Meena Bose told Newsday that President Donald Trump’s foreign policy positions have undergone an “evolution” between his first and second terms. “When he first ran for president and started campaigning in 2015, he was very much opposed to U.S. intervention abroad,” said Dr. Bose. “His America First policy was very much against the Iraq War. He called for … economic U.S. primacy in the world, but to also kind of step back from direct engagement. And yet, we’ve seen multiple efforts from the first term and the second where the administration has been engaged in airstrikes and military action abroad.”

View all posts
Powered by