Last Updated on 5 hours ago by Vijay Kumar
John L. Allen Jr., one of the most respected English-language journalists covering the Catholic Church and the Vatican, passed away on January 22, 2026, in Rome after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 61 years old. His death was confirmed by colleagues in Catholic media, prompting an outpouring of tributes from journalists, church leaders, and readers around the world who credited him with shaping modern understanding of Vatican affairs through clear, balanced, and deeply informed reporting.
The passing of John L. Allen Jr., the distinguished Vatican journalist, editor-in-chief of Crux, is a profound loss to the field of religious journalism and to all who valued insightful, balanced reporting on the Catholic Church. May his family, colleagues, and his many readers… https://t.co/bej5TfTByl
— Father V (@father_rmv) January 22, 2026
Allen was widely regarded as a leading authority on the inner workings of the Vatican. He began his career in Catholic journalism in the 1990s and rose to prominence as the longtime Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter. Over the years, he became known for his calm, analytical approach to complex church politics, papal transitions, and global Catholic issues.
He later served as the editor-in-chief of Crux, a Catholic news platform he helped establish as a trusted source for in-depth coverage of the papacy and the worldwide Church. In addition to daily journalism, he authored several influential books, including works on Pope Benedict XVI and the future of the Catholic Church, which are still widely cited by scholars and reporters alike.
He is survived by his wife, Elise Ann Allen, herself a journalist and senior Vatican correspondent, along with other family members. Colleagues have remembered him not only as a meticulous reporter but also as a generous mentor who helped guide a new generation of religion journalists. His death marks the loss of a steady, authoritative voice in global religious journalism.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
