Joshua J. McElwee

Joshua J. McElwee is NCR's news editor. He is a journalist who has been widely recognized for his in-depth reporting and penetrating analysis on the leadership of the global Catholic Church.

Previously NCR's Vatican correspondent from 2014-21, McElwee's 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 has been 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's reporting on the scene from the closed-door encounter, which sparked a global media frenzy, is sometimes credited with ensuring that Francis went forward with the creation of the Vatican's eventual Study Commission on the Women's Diaconate.

McElwee is the co-editor, alongside Cindy Wooden, of A Pope Francis Lexicon, a collection of 54 essays exploring the unique words Pope Francis has used in his ministry. 

A graduate of The Catholic University of America, McElwee has reported for NCR from 39 countries and traveled in the press pool abroad with Pope Francis 24 times. He often appears as an expert on television and radio programs such as National Public Radio's Morning Edition, BBC's World Service, and PRI's The World.

 

By this Author

The church after coronavirus: Crisis exposes what is essential

Global crises can lead to seismic changes or just clarify current challenges and possibilities. What kind of shift is taking place as people experience the Eucharist virtually and apart? NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors. This is Part 2 of three parts and includes six responders.

4/1 Coronavirus Tracker: The church after the pandemic, 'very bad' weeks ahead

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

The church after coronavirus: How our communities are changing

It is a time of profound change. NCR surveyed two dozen theologians, social directors, non-profit leaders and pastors, asking them to consider what closed buildings and separation could mean for the church in the long term. This is Part 1 of three parts, focusing on community, and includes seven responders.

3/31 Coronavirus Tracker: Pandemic economics, Italian cardinal tests positive

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Italian cardinal who runs Rome diocese tests positive for coronavirus

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who runs the day-to-day operations of the Diocese of Rome in the name of Pope Francis, has tested positive for the coronavirus

3/30 Coronavirus Tracker: Living in the day, country music star dies from virus

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Vatican confirms: Member of papal residence positive for coronavirus

The Vatican confirmed March 28 that a resident of the Domus Santa Marta, where Pope Francis lives, tested positive for the coronavirus and has been recovering at a Rome-area hospital.

3/27 Coronavirus Tracker: Fauci's formation, climate activists hit the screens

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Pope Francis hears the confession of a priest at Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran in March 2019. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Coronavirus indulgences evoke Francis' 'ridiculously-pardoning' church

Theologians say the Vatican's move shows a seemingly unprecedented level of pastoral care for those who suffer from the virus — especially those who may die in isolation without being able to receive final rites.

3/26 Coronavirus Tracker: Sisters respond, doctors in Spain and Italy struggle

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

3/25 Coronavirus Tracker: Avoiding Putinism, UK Parliament shutting down

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he arrives to celebrate Mass in National Stadium in Bangkok Nov. 21, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Coronavirus likely to cause first year without papal travel since 1979

Traveling abroad has become a staple of the modern papacy, with the pope taking an average of three or four trips outside Italy each year. As with many other things, the coronavirus outbreak has changed all that.

3/24 Coronavirus Tracker: Needing one another, UK on lockdown

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

3/23 Coronavirus Tracker: Online religion, Olympics may be postponed

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Vatican makes clear: general absolution allowed during coronavirus contagion

Addressing the difficulty Catholic priests globally are having in hearing confessions of individual persons affected by the highly contagious coronavirus, the Vatican made clear March 20 that it is acceptable for bishops to offer general absolution to groups of people as deemed necessary.

3/20 Coronavirus Tracker: Vatican allows general absolution, new ways of being church

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

3/19 Coronavirus Tracker: New Orleans an epicenter, London tube limiting service

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

3/18 Coronavirus Tracker: Papal lockdown advice, outbreak may last 'into July'

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

Ambulances, lockdown and new patterns of life in coronavirus Rome

Perspective: An ambulance appeared on our street this morning. Three healthcare workers got out, all wearing white, head-to-toe hazardous material outfits. They entered the building across from ours. It's part of our new pattern of life here in Italy, at the heart of the European epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. 

3/17 Coronavirus Tracker: France 'at war', drive-thru confessions

Welcome to NCR's Coronavirus Tracker, where you can find the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the Catholic Church and other institutions.

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