Skip to main content

UNO Experts Offer Insights Into the 2025 Papal Conclave on Consider This

Nebraska Public Media’s “Consider this” speaks with UNO’s Martina Saltamacchia, Ph.D., and Curtis Hutt, Ph.D., on the 2025 papal conclave.

  • published: 2025/05/14
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
The purple red of the cardinals sitting in the churchyard to participate in the funeral of Pope Francis stands out across the entire square.

The purple red of the cardinals sitting in the churchyard to participate in the funeral of Pope Francis stands out across the entire square. Photo: Shutterstock.

➡️ What’s new: The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Martina Saltamacchia, Ph.D., and Curtis Hutt, Ph.D., were featured on Nebraska Public Media’s Consider This, offering expert insights into the 2025 papal conclave. Saltamacchia, a specialist in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Hutt, a scholar in Religious Studies, provided historical and theological perspectives on the secretive process of electing a new pope.


💡 Why it matters: Their analysis gave viewers a deeper understanding of the conclave's significance within the Catholic Church, exploring both its historical roots and contemporary effects.


🤝 UNO Connection:

  • All episodes of Consider This are filmed in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s state-of-the-art TV studio and produced by students from UNO's School of Communication.

  • This collaboration not only provides hands-on learning experiences for students but also allows them to contribute to the creation of high-quality programming for the community.

  • Through this partnership, UNO continues to offer students the opportunity to engage in professional media environments, gaining real-world experience in broadcasting and production.


🔍 The big picture: Saltamacchia and Hutt’s insights emphasize UNO’s commitment to fostering critical discussions on important global events, enriching the public’s knowledge of religious practices and their impact on society.

For more on the papal conclave and expert commentary, watch the full segment on Nebraska Public Media’s “Consider This” with Cathy Wyatt.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). 

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.