John L. Allen, Jr.

Denver

Vatican expert, journalist, author and pug lover. Editor of Crux, an independent news site, and President of Crux Catholic Media Inc.

Articles

To fix the pension deficit, the Vatican may first need to face its trust deficit | Crux

Nov 27, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr.

“When you contribute to pension management, as we pay with our contributions, the accounts should be available to everyone,” an association of Vatican employees said.
On criminal justice, renouncing power might actually make the papacy stronger | Crux

Nov 4, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr.

By law, a pope possesses supreme executive, legislative and judicial authority in the Catholic Church, meaning there simply is no such thing as a separation of powers.
Is Pope Francis a ‘liberal’? Depends on whether we’re speaking Catholic | Crux

Oct 6, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr.

The secular contrast between “liberal” and “conservative” doesn’t work inside the Catholic Church, at least in its most senior ranks, because a distinction that ends up not actually distinguishing is fatuous.
Archbishop notes Synod on Synodality opens Feast of Saint Jerome, a ‘difficult man’

Oct 1, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr. |Elise Harris |Eduardo Lima |Ngala Killian Chimtom

As the Synod on Synodality began at the Vatican on Monday, one archbishop said it was Divine Providence it was the Feast of Saint Jerome, a “passionate and difficult man.”The saint, who died in 420, is best known for translating the Bible into Latin. However, he also had numerous writings on theological issues, and often very stern in his views. The final Synod on Synodality meeting comes after three years of discussion, debate and even arguments.
Catholic researcher warns Nigerian leader against crackdown on protests

Oct 1, 2024 | cruxnow.com | Ngala Killian Chimtom |John L. Allen, Jr. |Elise Harris |Eduardo Lima

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Nigerians are again taking to the streets on October 1 to protest the government, on the 64th independence Day. The protests are meant to be similar to the “EndBandGovernanceInNigera” protests which took place Aug. 1-10 and led to several deaths and multiple arrests. The new protest been called by various organizers, and aim to force the government to address the hunger, insecurity, inflation and hardship Nigerians are going through.
Catholic Church in Israel helps Christian migrants seeking safety

Sep 30, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr. |Elise Harris |Nirmala Carvalho

Christian migrants and asylum seekers struggling in Israel are receiving emergency help from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Sunday marked the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and Cardina Pierbattista Pizzaballa said he has been providing help Christians from various parts of the world searching for safety and employment in the Holy Land.
After three years, Synod of Bishops on synodality reaches the end of the road

Sep 30, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr. |Charles Collins |Elise Harris |Nirmala Carvalho

ROME – After three years of discussion, debate and, at times, division, the concluding act of Pope Francis’s Synod of Bishops on synodality kicks off today with the opening of a two-day spiritual retreat before the 368 participants in the second, and final, Roman assembly start their conversations.
Pope rejects criticism on women, raises eyebrows with ‘pants’ reference

Sep 29, 2024 | cruxnow.com | Elise Harris |John L. Allen, Jr.

ON BOARD THE PAPAL PLANE – Pope Francis on Sunday brushed aside criticism of his rhetoric on women during his weekend trip to Belgium, insisting that to masculinize women is “not Christian” and the product of an “exaggerated feminism.”Francis then invoked a classic Argentine trope, a reference to the Tango, to imply that suggestions he has a conservative mentality vis-à-vis women, or their role in the Catholic Church, are ridiculous.
Amid backlash over women, Pope tells Belgians to model charity rather than scandal

Sep 29, 2024 | cruxnow.com | Elise Harris |John L. Allen, Jr.

BRUSSELS – Pope Francis closed his visit to Belgium Sunday with the beatification of Spanish nun and missionary Anne of Jesus, telling Catholics in the country to be sources of charity rather than scandal. Yet the pontiff couldn’t escape continuing signs of discontent among some Belgian Catholics, including scattered protests at his Mass over the exclusion of women from the priesthood. Speaking from the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels Sept.
The key and the passage to union with God is sincere praise

Sep 29, 2024 | cruxnow.com | John L. Allen, Jr. |Elise Harris

The shifting movements of prayer within our souls can be compared to a vast and wonderful dance with all its own drama, complications, and harmony. The soul in love with God cannot be contained or restricted to one expression of prayer. The soul wants all the choreography of a good dance. Our task is to let our souls love, dance, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. By understanding this fluidity, we can watch and recognize as our souls move from thanksgiving to praise.