John L. Allen Jr. (born January 20, 1965) is an American journalist and author who serves as editor of the Catholic news website Crux, formerly hosted by The Boston Globe and now independently funded. Before moving to The Boston Globe when Crux was established in 2014, Allen worked for 16 years in Rome as a Vatican watcher, covering the Holy See and the Pope for the National Catholic Reporter. He also serves as a Senior Vatican Analyst for CNN, and featured in broadcast coverage of the conclaves of 2005 and 2013. Allen is the St. Francis de Sales Fellow of Communication and Media at the Word on Fire Institute founded by Bishop Robert Barron. Allen is the author of twelve books about the Catholic Church. He has written two biographies of Pope Benedict XVI. Biography Born in 1965, Allen grew up in Hays, Kansas. He graduated from Capuchin-founded Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in 1983. 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. For several years, Allen taught journalism and oversaw the student-run newspaper, The Knight, at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. During the coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II, Allen frequently appeared on CNN. He then became the Senior Vatican Analyst for CNN. He also delivers lectures discussing Vatican issues and his latest works. On November 5, 2011, St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto awarded him an honorary Doctor of Sacred Letters degree. He has also received honorary doctorates from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois; Saint Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont; and the University of Dallas, Irving, Texas." In 2014, Allen took up a position as associate editor with The Boston Globe and helped to launch its website, Crux. In 2016, the Globe transferred ownership of the Crux website and its intellectual property to Allen. It now operates on the basis of advertising income, syndication and licensing as well as support from benefactors. Allen and his wife, Elise, who also serves as a Senior Correspondent for Crux, live in Rome. Publications In addition to this column and occasional other pieces for NCR, Allen's work as a journalist has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, NPR, The Tablet, Jesus, Second Opinion, The Nation, the Miami Herald, Die Furche,