Pope Pious

By: Ruth Peters

On Tuesday, September 20, USJ hosted a panel discussion on Pope Leo XIV. Dr. Ben Peters, Professor of Religious Studies, hosted Mary Kate Holman, Brian Stiltner, and Jonathan Sozek as speakers for this presentation. Mary Kate Holman is a Religious Studies professor at Fairfield University whose interest and research focuses on feminist theology among other topics. Brian Stiltner is a Theology and Religious Studies professor at Sacred Heart University who is in engaged in ethics and human rights. Jonathan Sozek is a Philosophy and Religion professor at Albertus Magnus College whose work explores the philosophy of personalism and the Catholic intellectual tradition. All religious studies professors, they had interesting insight about the topic of the new American Pope.  

The focus for discussion was different for each panelist. Dr. Holman discussed Pope Leo’s view on women in the church and how he would carry on Pope Francis’ ideologies and beliefs on that subject. While Professor Stiltner explored Pope Leo’s role in international affairs and current events he also explained how it will take time to see how Pope Leo differs and is the same as other popes. Lastly, Dr. Jonathan Sozek examined Pope Leo’s view and opinion on Artificial Intelligence, or in simple terms AI. Dr. Sozek went into depth about AI and its effect on the world.  

These three panelists held a very fascinating discussion that ended with numerous questions from the audience. This panel discussion is one of the first collaborations of Connecticut Catholic Colleges that will hopefully start a new tradition and legacy. The Mercy Room was full of energy and people, both students and faculty of USJ as well as those from outside the campus. That kind of turnout isn’t just impressive—it’s proof that events like this resonate deeply in the USJ community. These events spark conversations, build community, and leave a mark that stretches far beyond campus.