KANSAS CITY, MO – July 2, 2025 – The National Catholic Reporter (NCR), a prominent independent Catholic news publication headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, announced today that Justin McLellan will be joining its editorial team as the new Vatican correspondent, with his role set to begin on July 14, 2025.
A Well-Prepared Voice from Rome
McLellan comes to NCR with a robust background in Vatican journalism. Most recently, he served as the Rome correspondent for Catholic News Service, the journalistic arm of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. There, he earned respect for his comprehensive coverage of Pope Francis, Vatican diplomacy, and internal Church developments.
Prior to that, McLellan worked with Rome Reports, a renowned TV news agency covering Vatican affairs. His responsibilities included crafting scripts for video stories and providing critical translation services — skills that reflect his proficiency in multiple languages.
Linguistic and Academic Credentials
A native of Newark, Delaware, McLellan holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in philosophy and theology, with a minor in Italian, from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned a prestigious Fulbright teaching fellowship, further underscoring his academic credentials.
Fluency in Spanish and Italian, along with advanced French and intermediate Portuguese, equips McLellan to navigate the Vatican’s multilingual environment and connect directly with a wide range of global Church voices.
Strengthening a 60-Year Tradition
NCR Executive Editor James V. Grimaldi emphasized McLellan’s multilingual talent and deep Vatican sourcing, expressing confidence that he will deliver coverage of Pope Leo XIV that continues the publication’s 60-year tradition of comprehensive, thoughtful, and groundbreaking Vatican reporting.
McLellan’s arrival comes at an opportune time: NCR’s recent coverage of the papal conclave attracted more than 6 million unique users, setting new readership records and sparking widespread discussion across national and Catholic media. The organization also garnered over 70 Catholic Media Association awards, including top honors such as the St. Francis de Sales Award.
What It Means for Readers
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Enhanced Vatican coverage: With McLellan’s skills in field reporting, multilingual communication, and multimedia storytelling, NCR’s Vatican section is poised for deeper analysis and more nuanced storytelling.
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Global perspective, local impact: Reporting from Rome but working for a Kansas City-based newsroom, McLellan bridges the Vatican’s global heartbeat with the concerns and interests of American Catholic audiences.
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Continuity and credibility: His appointment ensures that NCR remains at the forefront of Catholic journalism during a period of renewal under Pope Leo XIV and continuing debates over reform, international diplomacy, and Church teachings.
Looking Ahead
McLellan will take up the baton from his predecessors to cover major Vatican events: weekly papal audiences, diplomatic missions, ecumenical outreach, and ongoing institutional reforms. NCR is expected to roll out special Vatican briefs, multimedia content, and live coverage as major events unfold.
