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 tells US, North Korea to cool nuclear tensions, seek mediation

Francis tells Egyptian Catholics to reject fanaticism and respect other faiths

Pope Francis and Coptic pope agree not to re-baptize

In Egypt, Francis exhorts religions to condemn 'violence masquerading as sanctity'

Morning Briefing, International

Francis 'rewriting Italian church history' with visit to priests' tombs in June

Council of Cardinals speaks about decentralizing authority in the church

Knights of Malta leaders recommend election of temporary head of order

Francis faces political, religious land mines on Egypt trip

Vatican calls on Catholics and Buddhists to work together to promote nonviolence

Morning Briefing, International

Trump seeking to meet with Pope Francis in May

Papal delegate orders former Knights of Malta leader not to attend successor's election

Morning Briefing, International

Francis on washing prisoners' feet: It's what Jesus told us to do

Abuse commission member: We asked pope to create Vatican office to train in responding to survivors

Francis encourages UN talks to ban nukes: time to 'go beyond' deterrence

Pontifical commission on clergy abuse expresses 'strong support' for Marie Collins

Francis bemoans EU's 'loss of ideals' in meeting with 27 national leaders

O'Malley pledges pope still committed to rooting out clergy sex abuse

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