Father McShane, Fordham Community, Hail First Jesuit Pope

Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, members of the University's Jesuit community, and Fordham theology faculty have been contributing to the global conversation marking the historic day in the history of the Catholic Church--the naming of the first Jesuit pope, Pope Francis I.

Father McShane appeared on Charlie Rose just hours after the naming of the new pope, where guest host Frank Bruni asked him what advice he'd give the new pontiff.

"You know Holy Week is almost upon us," he said. "On Holy Thursday, do not wash the feet of seminarians or priests, Bring in to St. Peters the poor the forgotten, the lonely, the outcast, the people that the world thinks little of and would turn away from, and on that day, wash their feet."

Bloomberg carried a short clip of the interview (below), but for the full roundtable discussion click here.


After giving live analysis for The Wall Street Journal's website, Terrence Tilley, Ph.D., Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Chair in Catholic Theology and chair of the department, noted that the Conclave had elevated the global recognition of New York's own Archbishop, Cardinal Timothy Dolan. The paper later quoted Tilley as saying the exposure "gives [Dolan] a kind of boost that is quite remarkable...He becomes more of an influential person, a kingmaker in clerical and Vatican circles." That quote was later picked up by NY1's Pat Kiernan for the station's "In the Papers" segment.

In a column published by Fox News Latino, J. Patrick Hornbeck III, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology, noted the new pope's break from tradition from the first greeting of the masses in Rome: "Eschewing the tradition of his recent predecessors, the new pope chose not to wear the elaborate papal mozzetta, or short velvet cape, when he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Instead, Francis I presented himself to the world in a simple white cassock, a sartorial choice that will no doubt have left some traditionalists aghast."

Maureen Tilley, Ph.D., professor of theology, discussed the subtext of Pope Francis' Jesuit vow of poverty. "He's not just there for show," she told PIX 11. 

Charles Camosy, Ph.D., assistant professor of Theology, appeared on AOL.on News
"Taking the name 'Francis' I think is a major signal he is sending to everyone about who he is going to be, and on what side he is going to be--he is going to be on the side of the poor . . . leading a simple life."