Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown

Jonah McKeown was a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency from 2018 to 2025, where he also worked on CNA’s podcasts. He is now a staff writer for CNA’s sister news partner, the National Catholic Register. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He lives in St. Louis.

Articles by Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis meets with Russian ambassador to the Vatican

Jun 25, 2024 / 13:45 pm

Pope Francis met with Ivan Soltanovsky, Russia’s ambassador to the Holy See, on June 22.

Irish bishops decry assisted suicide proposal as ‘a failure of hope’

Jun 24, 2024 / 14:40 pm

The Catholic bishops of Ireland issued a statement laying out the Church’s teaching on end-of-life issues and advocating for palliative care.

Vatican’s secretary of state rues Russia’s absence at Ukraine peace conference

Jun 21, 2024 / 15:25 pm

“Peace is always made together,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said June 19 as reported by Vatican News. 

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage marches through extreme heat to bring Jesus to the people

Jun 20, 2024 / 16:45 pm

The four pilgrimage groups — currently in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Nebraska — will converge in Indianapolis on July 16.

The ethics of IVF: Where Catholics and Baptists can agree

Jun 20, 2024 / 11:15 am

Here’s what you need to know about the Catholic Church's position on IVF and how it differs from that of Protestant Christian denominations.

Pope Francis tells Communion and Liberation leader: ‘Do not look at your navel’

Jun 19, 2024 / 14:57 pm

As reported by President Davide Prosperi, the pope spoke of “the need to share the charism and for a co-responsibility in the leadership of the movement.”

Judge throws out Missouri lawsuit that challenged abortion ban on religious grounds

Jun 18, 2024 / 16:15 pm

A coalition of more than a dozen Missouri religious leaders, including Jews, Christians, and Unitarian Universalists, filed the lawsuit in 2023.

Civil war in Sudan: What’s happening and why?

Jun 17, 2024 / 06:00 am

Amid the chaos and a complex set of competing political interests, children and the poor have been hit hardest.

New study suggests more than two-thirds of Catholics believe the Eucharist is truly Jesus

Jun 16, 2024 / 07:30 am

A new study has found that 69% of Mass-going Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, calling into question a 2019 study.

Al Kresta, longtime Catholic radio host, dies at 72

Jun 15, 2024 / 14:35 pm

A former evangelical Protestant who rose to prominence as a radio host before his conversion to Catholicism, Kresta’s voice was heard on hundreds of radio stations.

Democratic, Republican bills on IVF voted down in U.S. Senate

Jun 13, 2024 / 16:50 pm

The Right to IVF Act, introduced by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, failed 48-47 on Thursday, needing 60 votes to pass.

Eucharistic pilgrims go ‘to the heights’ at the top of the Rocky Mountains

Jun 13, 2024 / 14:45 pm

At the Continental Divide last week, a priest held up the golden monstrance containing Jesus and blessed both halves of the nation.

The opening of St. Anthony’s tomb and the ‘Feast of the Tongue’

Jun 13, 2024 / 04:00 am

St. Anthony’s feast day is today, June 13, but you may not be aware that there’s another important day of the year when St. Anthony is celebrated in Padua.

Southern Baptist Convention approves resolution opposing IVF

Jun 12, 2024 / 18:05 pm

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., on Wednesday voted to approve a resolution opposing the use of IVF.

U.S. bishops invite Catholics to ‘pray, reflect, and act’ to promote religious freedom

Jun 11, 2024 / 16:00 pm

Marking Religious Freedom Week, beginning June 22, the bishops invited Catholics to reflect on a particular topic related to religious freedom each day of the week.

Tech-savvy Catholics embrace Carlo Acutis: ‘Saintliness is possible in this modern era’

Jun 11, 2024 / 06:00 am

In recent years, Carlo’s embrace and masterful use of technology as a part of his holy life has inspired many young Catholics working in science and technology.

Pew study shows Biden and Trump supporters deeply divided on life and family issues

Jun 10, 2024 / 18:15 pm

A new study found that voters remain highly divided on hot-button issues such as abortion, gender, the role of the family in society, and immigration.

16 men to be ordained to the priesthood in Washington, DC

Jun 7, 2024 / 17:15 pm

The ordinands this year include a former ER doctor, several who served in the armed forces, and a former D.C. police officer.

National Eucharistic Pilgrims ‘relying on God’s grace’ as they carry Jesus hundreds of miles

Jun 6, 2024 / 17:22 pm

Pilgrims who relayed their experiences so far spoke about how they have seen Christ’s presence in the Eucharist affect those who see them pass by.

Hong Kong cardinal urges forgiveness on Tiananmen Square 35th anniversary

Jun 4, 2024 / 14:22 pm

During the June 4, 1989, clash between protesters and Chinese troops, tanks rolled into Beijing’s main city square and military forces opened fire.