Regis College Will Welcome Cardinal O'Malley for May Commencement

Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley will offer the commencement address at Regis College in Weston during the school's May 11, 2013 graduation ceremony, the college announced on March 7.

O'Malley will also receive an honorary degree from Regis, according to a press release.

"After Pope Benedict XVI resigned, we held back our commencement announcement even on campus out of respect for him and the unfolding process, including Cardinal Sean’s participation in the conclave to select a new Pope,” Regis College President Antoinette Hays remarked. "But with regional universities announcing their commencement speakers today, we thought we had better announce before we have to arrange to bring the Cardinal in by Skype.”

O'Malley is currently in the Vatican. The conclave to select the next pope is scheduled to begin Tuesday, and "O’Malley has emerged as a popular favorite in some circles," according to the Boston Globe. The Boston archbishop "has repeatedly dismissed the notion that he is a contender," the Glove continued.

According to a press release from Regis, the college confirmed O'Malley to speak last December and received word that the cardinal was "very happy to have received the invitation and is very much looking forward to the occasion."

Regis College expects to grant degrees to 500 students on May 11, ranging from the associate of science to doctorates. About 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students are enrolled at the Weston college.

O'Malley's has spoken at Regis College before, including when he presided over Mass during Hays' inauguration in October 2011.

“Regis congratulates Cardinal Sean for persevering in re-building trust within our Boston Church, preparing this great ecclesial community for the challenges of the 21st century, and keeping major issues out in front," Hays said in the press release. "We consider him a friend, and Regis College alumni, staff and faculty have supported him in the past decade in various ways on his journey to repair and console a Church wounded by clerical sexual abuse.”