Prof. Mark Silk, director of the Leonard Greenberg Center for Religion and Public Life at Trinity College in Hartford, wonders:

Macchiavellian attempt by the cardinals to convince Catholics that the institution so reflects his simplicity and humility, that we should turn a blind eye to its doing business as usual? Find that column and more on Mark Silk’s blog, Spiritual Politics, at http://marksilk.religionnews.com/

College of the Holy Cross Prof. Mat Schmalz hopes Francis’s papacy will bring together Franciscan and Jesuit approaches to spirituality.

The full text of Pope Francis’s inaugural homily:

Peter Gottschalk, Wesleyan religion professor, who teaches a course called “Religions Resist Modernity” and is working on a book about religious intolerance.

Arthur Meyers, director, Russell Library and author of Democracy in the Making: The Open Forum Lecture Movement, about a model of American civil discourse.

Lyrics to “Popeless,” by Atty. John Boccalatte

Sung to the tune “Helpless” by Neil Young

There is a man who once lived in Rome
He chose to leave St. Peter’s Square,
It was time to leave the papal throne,
All his problems were there.
Empty window below the stars
Helicopter on the rise,
Big bird flying across Roman skies,
To life away from public eyes
Leaves us,
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless
Vacant balcony beneath the Dome
To a quiet spot for his Holiness
While the Vatican relocates nuns
To make room for emeritus
We are,
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless
God, can you hear me now?
The chains are locked
Across the Sistine doors,
Cardinals, slow down and think this through somehow.
I’m Ok while we stay,
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless
Popeless, Popeless, Popeless

Link to the New York Times op-ed piece”A Vatican Spring?” by Hans Kung

Link to the New York Times op-ed piece “Give Up Your Pew for Lent” by Paul Elie