University of Notre Dame president Rev. John I Jenkins, C.S.C., and several members of the University faculty will be prominent among those offering commentary and analysis in the national media during the first visit of Pope Francis to the United States next week (Sept. 22-27).
Father Jenkins will be a guest on the MSNBC “Hardball with Chris Matthews” program at 7 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 24). (Editor’s note: Due to scheduling adjustments, Father Jenkins’ appearance date is subject to change.) Father Jenkins also will be at a welcoming ceremony and meeting of Pope Francis with President Barack Obama at the White House on Sept. 23 (Wednesday), and later that day will concelebrate with Popes Francis the canonization Mass of Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. On Sept. 24 (Thursday) morning, Father Jenkins will be a guest for the Pope’s address to a joint session of Congress.
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, associate professor of American studies and director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, will be providing regular commentary for NBC’s and MSNBC’s continuous coverage throughout the papal visit, and professor of theology Candida Moss will do so for CBS television as a network papal news contributor.
In addition, numerous Notre Dame faculty members have commented on the papal visit in a wide variety of national media.