Joshua J. McElwee

Joshua J. McElwee was NCR's news editor from 2021-24. He was previously the publication's Vatican correspondent from 2014-21, where his dispatches from Rome and during papal trips abroad were frequently cited by his peers, and broadly seen as a touchstone for nuanced Vatican and papal coverage. 

Among McElwee's most noted work was his years-long, tenacious coverage of Pope Francis' clergy abuse commission, which through a series of exclusive interviews with ex-members of the group revealed serious shortcomings to its work.

McElwee was also the first journalist to break the news of Pope Francis' promise during a meeting with an international group of sisters and nuns in 2016 to create a commission to study the history of the ordination of women as deacons in the Catholic Church.

McElwee reported for NCR from 39 countries and traveled for the publication in the press pool abroad with Pope Francis 24 times. 

By this Author

Marie Collins: History will judge Francis 'on his actions, not his intentions'

Francis says Catholic Church 'abandoned' children, letting them be abused

San Diego bishop responds to survivor advocate letter that alleged abuse by McCarrick

Vatican says it is treating Pennsylvania grand jury report 'with great seriousness'

Amid McCarrick, Pennsylvania abuse scandals, what can US bishops do?

Morning Briefing

Exclusive: Cardinal Wuerl proposes national panel to investigate allegations against bishops

Study: Most US major superiors think women deacons 'theoretically possible'

Morning Briefing, International

McCarrick renounces place in College of Cardinals after revelations of abuse

Sarajevo meeting amplifies voices of women theologians

Francis tells 500 theologians world needs 'renewed leadership'

Irish sex abuse survivors say Francis should admit to Vatican's cover-up

Honduran bishop serving as deputy to Cardinal Rodriguez resigns after abuse allegations

500 theologians to gather in Sarajevo to talk ethics, action

Morning Briefing, International

Cardinal warns of 'possible collapse' of Earth's livability at Vatican event

Francis picks journalist as new communications czar, and first layperson leading Vatican office

Catholic-Anglican dialogue document suggests both churches can learn from other

Francis warns cardinals against 'useless wrangling' over power

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