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An Expert Guide to the Papacy and Pope Francis

Apr 24, 2025

4 min

Massimo Faggioli, PhDBrett Grainger, ThDIlia Delio, OSF, PhDJaisy A. Joseph, PhD

The death of Pope Francis marks a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, ending a papacy that redefined the Church's relationship with the modern world. As the College of Cardinals prepares to gather in conclave, Catholics across the globe are closely watching to see whether the next pontiff will build upon Francis' legacy or chart a new course. The following experts are available to provide insight into a range of related topics, including Pope Francis' enduring impact and what lies ahead for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics:


Massimo Faggioli, PhD

Professor, Theology and Religious Studies


Dr. Massimo Faggioli is a world-renowned expert on the history and administrative inner workings of the Catholic Church, with specific expertise in the papacy, Vatican II, the Roman Curia, liturgical reform, new Catholic movements and Catholicism and global politics.


As quoted on NPR: "Historically, we see in different conclaves a certain swinging of the pendulum. What the conclave and the next pope cannot do is to ignore and deny the changing features of global Catholicism, which is much less European, much less white, less North American and more Global South..."




Kevin Hughes, PhD

Chair, Theology and Religious Studies


Dr. Kevin Hughes is a leading historical theologian, offering insights into the life, legacy and impact of Pope Francis. He can also speak to the significance of the Pope in Catholicism and the influence of his teachings on the global Catholic Church.


As quoted on Scripps News: "[Pope Francis' selection] was really the Church extending beyond the limits of its European imagination. His Latin American identity was really crucial to embracing a new moment within the Church and opening the door in so many ways, and I think he bore witness to that throughout his papacy."



Jaisy Joseph, PhD

Assistant Professor, Systematic and Constructive Theology


Dr. Jaisy Joseph is a trained ecclesiologist, able to address a wide range of topics relating to the papacy, conclave process and Catholic Church. Previously, she has commented on the Church's presence in Asia and the Global South, offering expert commentary on its growth, challenges and shifting influence.


As quoted by ABC News Digital: "[The election of someone from the Global South would be] a move in that direction of how to be a global church. That move from a Eurocentric church to a truly global church—I think that's what Francis really inaugurated."




Patrick Brennan, JD

Professor of Law; John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies


Professor Patrick Brennan is an expert on the conclave process and the main rules that govern it. He can also speak to topics such as the contemporary and historical importance of secrecy in the conclave, what the cardinals may be looking for in the next Pope and the factors that cause similarities and differences from one conclave to the next. 


As quoted on Fox 29's Good Day Philadelphia: "The purpose of the general congregation is for the cardinals, who don't know each other in some cases, to get to know each other better as they learn about the current state of the Church and together decide on the needs of the Church and priorities for the new pontificate."



Brett Grainger, ThD

Associate Professor, Study of Spirituality and American Religious History


Dr. Brett Grainger is a go-to source for discussions of the changing face and role of modern spirituality in America. He serves as an expert on contemporary religious trends and can also speak to the broader public reaction to Pope Francis' passing, especially outside of the Catholic faith.


As quoted by Courthouse News Service: "People are disaffiliating from a tradition—that doesn't necessarily mean in fact that they don't believe in God anymore...What's more important is 'Is this giving me life? Is this making my life more meaningful? Is this giving me the kind of energy and purpose that I'm looking for?' That's where religion is going."



Michael Moreland, JD, PhD

Professor of Law and Religion; Director, Eleanor H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy


Dr. Michael Moreland is a renowned scholar of constitutional law, religious freedom, public policy and ethics. He can provide expert commentary on items related to the Catholic right and the state of religious politics in the United States.


As featured on NBC News Digital: Michael Moreland said the mass appeal of "Conclave" captured how, even in a secular modern age, there is still pervasive intrigue around "the ancient rituals of the Catholic Church." "The significance of the theological and spiritual aspects of Catholicism and this process of electing a pope was kind of reduced into partisan politics," he said.




Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD

Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Christian Theology


Sister Ilia Delio addresses topics in her work such as theology and evolution, technology and human becoming and understandings of Catholicity in a world of complexity. She can provide expert insight into Laudato si', Pope Francis' position on the environment, the relationship between science and religion and integral ecology.


As featured in the National Catholic Reporter: "We are clearly an Earth in crisis," with a reversal necessary to secure a sustainable future, said Ilia Delio... Delio posed a series of questions: about the relationship between religion and science; what Laudato si', and Christianity more broadly, can offer ecological movements; and whether the concept of kinship or creation as family might better reflect humanity's place within nature than "care for creation."


To speak with any of these faculty experts, please contact mediaexperts@villanova.edu.

Connect with:
Massimo Faggioli, PhD

Massimo Faggioli, PhD

Professor of Theology and Religious Studies | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Massimo Faggioli, PhD, is an expert on the history and administrative inner workings of the Catholic Church and of the papacy.

Pope Leo XIVPope FrancisChurch HistoryHistory of ChristianityHistorical Theology and Ecclesiology
Brett Grainger, ThD

Brett Grainger, ThD

Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Brett Grainger, ThD, researches the changing face of modern spirituality in America and how various religions view the natural world.

EvangelicalismReligion and NatureModern SpiritualityAmerican Religious HistoryHistory of Christianity
Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD

Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD

Josephine C. Connelly Endowed Chair in Theology | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sister Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, works to find a new unity and synthesis in science and religion.

TheologyNeuroscienceArtificial Intelligence and BecomingCulture and ReligionCatholicity
Jaisy A. Joseph, PhD

Jaisy A. Joseph, PhD

Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Jaisy A. Joseph, PhD, is an expert in the study of unity and difference in the global Church, synodality and the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Pope Leo XIVPope FrancisSynodalityEcclesiologyTheological Anthropology
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