Scranton Administrator, Author Shares Papal Expertise

When Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., was a curious college freshman.

"I said to my friends, 'What happens when a pope dies?'" Dr. Cosacchi recently recalled. "I went to the library, took out about 25 books …"

And the rest was history.

Dr. Cosacchi, The University of Scranton's vice president of mission and ministry, has since become a scholar of the papacy and conclave.

Since the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, Dr. Cosacchi has been in-demand, both on campus and in the public eye.

Dr. Cosacchi's work at the University in recent weeks has included a video presentation, open to the University community, about papal transition.

Dr. Cosacchi also authored a University-wide email - a conclave primer - with numerous sources and links gathered to answer virtually any questions you may have about the conclave.

Additionally, Dr. Cosacchi is contributing coverage for Spectrum News during the conclave and he was interviewed for the following articles in national media outlets:

• "A Visual Guide on How the Next Pope Will Be Elected,"The Washington Post

• "What's at stake in conclave this week,"USA Today

A graduate of Fordham University and Boston College, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, Dr. Cosacchi earned his doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago. Hired by Scranton in 2022, he previously held teaching positions at Marywood University and Fairfield University.

Dr. Cosacchi is the author of "Great American Prophets: Pope Francis's Models of Christian Life,"and the co-author of "The Berrigan Letters: Personal Correspondence Between Daniel and Philip Berrigan."