Kevin Eckstrom joined the RNS staff in February, 2000 and became editor in 2006. Prior to coming to RNS, he worked as religion editor at the Stuart/Port St. Lucie News in Florida. He was the winner of the 2000 Cassels Award for small newspapers from the Religion Newswriters Association. Under his leadership, RNS was named Best Wire Service by the Associated Church Press for both 2006 and 2007 – the only time RNS has won back-to-back years. Eckstrom holds a M.S. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. from The George Washington University.
In 2007, he was elected president of the Religion Newswriters Association. His work was featured in Changing Boundaries: The Best Religion News Writing of 2003.
Bill Maher’s not a fan of the new pope, we’re not sure if we’re fans of Passover matzo (probably not) and we’re DEFINITELY not fans of snow in D.C. on March 25. All that and more in today’s Religion News Roundup.
(RNS) Pope Francis may have simple tastes, but how does he feel about tofu? (Don’t worry, we thought the same thing). A nice Jewish boy scores a nice prom date, and there’s now one more reason Diet Coke is better than regular Coke, especially at Passover.
The pope settles up his hotel tab, Cardinal Dolan’s mother thinks he should smile more, and a megachurch pastor tells a minor that Jesus wanted them to get a motel room.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as Pope Francis on Wednesday after only two days of voting in the conclave tasked with choosing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
(RNS) Want to make your own white or black smoke at home to signal your election as pope? The Vatican gives out the recipe. Obama would be fine with an American pope, and Sarah Palin has a bone to pick with Santa Claus.
(RNS) Ladies and gentlemen, the Bishop of the Bracket, the Victorious Vicar, the People’s Pope is ….
The new pope’s first name is actually announced in Latin (this is the Vatican, after all), so if you want to be fully prepped, our friends at Catholic News Service have prepared a list of all the cardinals’ names in Latin.
(RNS) Our Sweet Sistine Pope Madness tournament is down to its final two bishops. Who will be the People’s Pope, the Bishop of the Bracket, the Victorious Vicar?!?
Cardinals are expected to name a start date for the conclave to elect … New Yorker Timothy Dolan as pope? Bill Clinton’s having second thoughts on DOMA, and Israelis wonder if locusts go well with matzo for Passover.
It’s the day after the night before as the Catholic Church feels its way through the “sede vacante.” Here’s everything you need to know about what comes next, as well as how to pray over your demon-possessed sweaters from Goodwill.
