Catholic News Agency is announcing the launch of its new blog on March 1, in time to provide enhanced coverage of the papal conclave that will elect the new Pope, as well as future Church news.

The blog can be accessed at catholicnewsagency.com/blog.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of our blog in what could be called the most exciting time for the Church in modern history," said CNA managing editor Marianne Medlin.

"Our blog contributors' diverse backgrounds, sheer talent and ardent love for the Church will provide invaluable commentary and take full advantage of modern communication methods to further the Gospel message," she said.

"This blog represents the latest step in CNA's ongoing commitment to providing Catholic news in keeping with the New Evangelization envisioned by Blessed Pope John Paul II and espoused by Pope Benedict XVI."

The new blog will seek to provide thoughtful commentary on contemporary issues facing the Church, as well as pictures, graphics and other additional content. Catholic News Agency's contributing bloggers come from various backgrounds and bring with them a wide range of interests and expertise.

Alejandro Bermúdez is director of ACI-Prensa, the world's largest Catholic news agency in Spanish, as well as the executive director of Catholic News Agency and the Portuguese agency ACI digital. Alejandro is a frequent contributor to the National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor, and he hosts several Spanish programs on EWTN, including "Criterios" on Radio Católica Mundial. He is also a commentator at EWTN Noticias and a guest commentator on religious issues for the New York Times.

David and Jenny Uebbing, both graduates of Franciscan University of Steubenville, have been married since 2009 and reside in Rome with their young family. David is the Rome news director for Catholic News Agency and EWTN News. He previously worked as managing editor at the agencies' Denver headquarters. Jenny is the content editor of Heroic News, a web-based news service dedicated to life and cultural issues. She is passionate about the subjects of bioethics, human sexuality, contraception and John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

Michelle Bauman is assistant editor for Catholic News Agency and EWTN News. She previously worked as the agencies' Washington, D.C., correspondent. Michelle holds degrees in political philosophy and journalism from the University of Dallas. Her articles have appeared in the Denver Catholic Register and the National Catholic Register, and she has been a guest commentator on Register Radio and NY1 News.

Kevin Jones joined Catholic News Agency in 2007. He has a degree in classics from the University of Colorado-Boulder and is a parishioner at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, Colorado – the same parish where he was baptized as an infant. Kevin's interests include political science, ethics and literature.

Carl Bunderson, a convert to the Catholic faith, has studied philosophy at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver and economics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Carl is particularly devoted to beautiful celebration of the liturgy, both Mass and the Divine Office, having taken to heart the dictum "lex orandi, lex credenda:" the rule of prayer is the rule of belief.

Kate Veik is a radio and television producer for Catholic News Agency and EWTN News. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her work has previously appeared in the Omaha World-Herald and the Archdiocese of Omaha's newspaper, the Catholic Voice.

Hillary Senour, a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and EWTN News, holds a history degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville. A lifelong Catholic, Hillary is passionate about learning from the saints, especially St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Joseph.