NCR Vatican correspondent Christopher White at work during the synod on synodality in Rome in October 2023 (NCR photo)
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National Catholic Reporter's Vatican correspondent Christopher White will be joining Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life in July 2025 as associate director for strategic engagement and a senior fellow.
White, an award-winning journalist with extensive experience covering the U.S. and global Catholic Church, has spent the past four years reporting from the Vatican for NCR. Prior to that, he served as NCR's national correspondent and worked as a reporter for Crux.
His reporting has taken him across more than two dozen countries with Pope Francis, providing in-depth coverage of the church. His work has also been featured in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes and Foreign Policy. Additionally, he serves as a Vatican analyst for NBC and MSNBC.
Kim Daniels, director of the initiative, highlighted White's commitment to Catholic social thought and the leadership of Francis. White has already participated in the initiative's programs over the years, including dialogues on the synod, lay leadership and the clergy sexual abuse crisis. He also contributed to the initiative's 2018 Leadership Convening on Polarization and its 2019 National Convening on Lay Leadership for a Wounded Church and Divided Nation.
"He shares with the rest of our team a deep commitment to Catholic social thought, the leadership of Pope Francis and Georgetown's Catholic and Jesuit mission, and we know he will strengthen and deepen the initiative's efforts," Daniels said.
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The Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, 12 years running, describes itself as an effort to "promote dialogue on Catholic social thought and national and global issues." It has conducted nearly 200 public discussions on Georgetown's campus with policymakers, journalists, scholars and religious leaders to examine how faith and public life intersect.
"There are really no words that will do justice to the impressive job Chris has done for NCR during his time in Rome. He brought a depth of insight and understanding that is rare, making his reports and analysis 'must-read' material for anyone who cares about the church," said Joe Ferullo, CEO and publisher of NCR.
James V. Grimaldi, NCR's executive editor, described White's new role as "a win-win for NCR and Georgetown University," saying that while White takes on this new position, he will also continue contributing to NCR.
"Chris is one of the best beat reporters I have ever known, frankly at any newspaper. He mastered one of the most secretive institutions in the world through dogged sourcing, intensive reading and research — and countless meals at Rome's famed restaurants," said Grimaldi.
"He repeatedly astounded me with the breadth of his sources, the depth of his knowledge and the sophistication of his informed analysis — work that made NCR stand out among a very seasoned and experienced Vatican press corp."
White's reporting for NCR from the Vatican took him from Rome to remote locations such as the Arctic Circle and South Sudan covering Francis' global ministry.
He said he was grateful for being part of NCR's legacy of independent journalism and praised his colleagues as "some of the hardest working and most honest reporters in Catholic media."
White also said he's excited that Georgetown will give him "the opportunity to continue to provide commentary on the Vatican and the global Catholic Church in challenging times" and said he was thankful for the chance to learn and work alongside Daniels and be "a part of such a thriving team and such a storied university."
