Boston Archdiocese Radio caught up with Michael Severance, Operations Manager at Institiuto Acton in Rome, Italy, and he shared his personal story of meeting then Cardinal Bergoglio about 12 years ago at an event at the University of Dallas’ Rome program.

Read more on Audio: Michael Severance on Pope Francis…

New Delhi TV recently published a Agence Franch-Presse report describing the former pope’s “invisible presence at conclave:”

Retired pope Benedict XVI is gone but far from forgotten as cardinals begin voting for candidates to replace him, with his personal secretary Georg Gaenswein one of the last to leave the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave.

Rev. Robert Sirico addresses Benedict’s influence on the conclave:

Read more on Rev. Sirico: Don’t Underestimate Benedict’s Silent Influence…

Late last week, director of the Acton Institute’s Rome office spoke on Ave Maria’s Al Kresta in the Afternoon. Since the conclave to elect a new pope is set to start on Tues.  March 12, Jayabalan and Al Kresta discuss the potential candidates for pope and the mood in Rome. Jayabalan lists some of the qualifications the new pope should possess then suggests Cardinals from around the world who possess the best experience and skills.

Read more on Audio: Kishore Jayabalan and Al Kresta Discuss Papal Candidates…

Acton president and co-founder, Rev. Robert Sirico, and Director of Research, Samuel Gregg, are currently in Rome for the upcoming papal conclave. Here’s a roundup of their observations, including thoughts on the legacy of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Read more on Audio Roundup: Acton Vatican Experts on the Conclave…

Update: Video Interview with Kishore from Rome.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

As the world awaits the beginning of the conclave, many are looking at non European Cardinals as potentials for the next pope.  Channel News Asia points out that “68 per cent of the world’s Catholics currently from Latin America, Africa and Asia, there are increased calls for the next pope to be a non-European.”

Read more on Jayabalan: Possibility of a Non European Pope…

Acton’s director of research, Samuel Gregg, blogs about Cardinal Pell’s speech on global warming over at The Corner. He summarizes the remarks and then provides their ecclesiastical context, defending both the cardinal and the Pope from the radical left and from charges of submission to intellectual fashion.

Read more on Samuel Gregg: Cardinal Pell’s Intellectual Fortitude Is Refreshing…