John L. Allen Jr. is the editor of Crux, specializing in coverage of the Vatican and the Catholic Church. He has written eleven books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs, and also is a popular speaker on Catholicism both in the United States and internationally.

John’s weekly column, “All Things Catholic,” is widely read as a source of insight on the global Church. Among John’s books are Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church, and two about Pope Benedict XVI.

John's articles have appeared in The Boston Globe, The New York Times, CNN, NPR, The Tablet, Jesus, Second Opinion, The Nation, the Miami Herald, Die Furche, and the Irish Examiner.

He is a senior Vatican analyst for CNN and was a correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter for 16 years.

He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Fort Hays State University and a master's degree in religious studies from the University of Kansas. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, Ontario; Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.; St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt.; and the University of Dallas, Dallas, Texas.

Faith & Religion, religion, Editing, Writer and editor, Journalism, Writing, Catholic, Catholicism