Fordham’s names new president — and it’s not a priest (The New York Times) Fordham University, one of the most prominent Jesuit universities in the United States, announced its new president on Thursday, unveiling a choice that breaks with tradition in two significant ways: For the first time in its nearly 200-year history, the school will be led by a laywoman instead of a priest. Tania Tetlow, a former law professor and the current president of Loyola University New Orleans, a Jesuit school in Louisiana, will be installed as the new president on July 1 when the Rev. Joseph M. McShane steps down after 19 years…

Pope calls for “great symphony of prayer” ahead of Jubilee (CNA) Pope Francis called on Friday for a “great symphony of prayer” ahead of the Jubilee Year in 2025. The pope made the appeal in a Feb. 11 letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization

Gänswein: Benedict has full support of Pope Francis (CNS) Pope Francis was among those showing their support for retired Pope Benedict XVI, sending his predecessor “a beautiful letter,” according to the former pope’s secretary. In the letter, Pope Francis “speaks as a shepherd, as a brother” and “expressed once again his complete trust, his full support and also his prayers,” said the secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein…

Phoenix diocese issues statement on Satanist convention (Fox10 Phoenix) Officials with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix are speaking out on a Satanist convention that is set to take place on Feb. 11. According to an updated statement that was released on Feb. 7, officials with the diocese say they are aware of what they termed as ‘conflicting information’ being spread of social media and websites regarding the diocese’s stance on Satancon, and stated that Bishop Thomas Olmsted “reiterates his desire that we refrain from participating in any public demonstration or protest…”

The Catholic roots of the NFL (Catholic Review) As fans prepare to watch the Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m., Catholic viewers may not realize how much their fellow believers have been involved in the history and success of American football…