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

Francis outlines broad vision of human, compassionate priesthood

Report: Sainthood process opened for Hélder Câmara

Vatican: No 'objective reasons' to preclude appointment of Chilean bishop

Vatican to host 1,200 religious formation directors for conference

Vatican Good Friday reflections ask: ‘When will death penalty be abolished?’

Francis: 'No other way' for Christians than humility

Japanese bishops ask Francis to warn against nuclear power in his encyclical

Members of Vatican abuse commission question Francis' inaction in Chile

White House: Francis to visit Sept. 23 to discuss poverty, immigration

Francis: Don't gossip about the synod! Pray for it

Francis decries 'terrorism of gossip,' priests and religious influenced by money

Francis thunders against abuse of workers, corruption in Naples

Pope Francis and the road map of a St. Joseph pontiff

Francis to lunch with prisoners, including those who are transgender, gay, or have AIDS

Francis: Society without children is 'sad and gray'

Francis: Who are you to shut the door of mercy for someone?

Francis announces new global jubilee, the Holy Year of Mercy

In Mexican TV interview, Francis reviews pontificate, says to expect brief papacy

Vatican 'fully supports' global abolition of death penalty

Slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero to be beatified May 23

Advertisement