Ken Oliver-Méndez

Ken Oliver-Méndez

Ken Oliver-Méndez is editor-in-chief of the Catholic News Agency, which provides news of general interest to Catholics worldwide through its network of regional correspondents, bureaus, and sister services, including ACI Prensa, ACI Stampa, CNA Deutsch, ACI Africa, ACI Afrique, ACI Mena, and ACI Digital. A native Washingtonian and journalist by profession, Ken is a former White House director of specialty media, news editor at NBC Radio, and evening news producer at Radio Martí, among other positions in journalism and public policy.

Articles by Ken Oliver-Méndez

The Vatican did not release any details about what was discussed during the Nov. 19, 2025, meeting Pope Leo XIV held with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker

UPDATE: Pope Leo XIV meets with his home state’s governor

Nov 19, 2025 / 14:23 pm

Pope Leo XIV met with the governor of his native Illinois, JB Pritzker, on Wednesday at the Vatican.

As Father Emmanuel Nanabanyin Conduah (right) looks on, PennWest University Professor Miguel Olivas-Luján (left) delivers his paper “Retiring for Eternity: Planning Based on Social Science and Catholic Social Thought” during the 2025 annual conference of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Credit: Ken Oliver-Méndez/CNA

Catholic social scientists reframe perspective on retirement

Oct 29, 2025 / 10:08 am

“Retiring for Eternity: Planning Based on Social Science and Catholic Social Thought” was one topic at the Society of Catholic Social Scientists’ annual conference.

The St. Paul Center in Steubenville, Ohio, is a nonprofit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study from the heart of the Church. The center serves clergy and laity, students, and scholars with research and study tools. Credit: St. Paul Center

St. Paul Center to kick off ‘largest Bible study in America’

Oct 27, 2025 / 15:53 pm

The study, titled “Bible Across America,” is set to begin Nov. 5 and aims to gather Catholics “around God’s word to prayerfully study Scripture.”

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Credit: Jack Haskins/EWTN News

CNA Newsmaker Interview: Kevin Roberts and living out the optimism of Charlie Kirk

Sep 16, 2025 / 08:20 am

CNA talks with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts for the inaugural edition of its “CNA Newsmaker Interview” series.

“When you love the people with whom you disagree, and then you talk about the disagreements, then you’re able to persuade people, potentially,” Arthur Brooks points out. “It’s your only shot at persuading people, is with love.” Credit: EWTN News

Arthur Brooks: Let’s emulate Pope Leo by speaking truth in a spirit of love

Jul 11, 2025 / 09:40 am

Bestselling author, Harvard professor, and renowned social scientist Arthur Brooks says the missionary character of Pope Leo XIV is one all Catholics should emulate.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, chair of the United States’ recently created Religious Liberty Commission, talks with Raymond Arroyo on “The World Over” on June 19, 2025. Credit: “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo”/Screenshot

Religious Liberty Commission chair shares outlook after first hearing

Jun 20, 2025 / 14:11 pm

As the work of the presidential Religious Liberty Commission gets underway, the commission’s chairmansaid he sees two sets of domestic threats to religious liberty in the U.S. 

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, speaks to “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” on July 21, 2022. Credit: “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” screenshot

Archbishop Naumann weighs in on need to solve current immigration, refugee challenges

Feb 7, 2025 / 16:30 pm

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann is the latest among prelates throughout the country who are weighing in with Catholic perspectives on the country’s immigration system.

Bishop Michael Martin of Charlotte, North Carolina, greets a young Catholic while surveying storm damage at Swannanoa, North Carolina, Friday, on Oct. 4, 2024. Credit: Diocese of Charlotte

North Carolina bishops: Immigration policy and enforcement ‘complicated and emotional’

Feb 6, 2025 / 16:50 pm

The Roman Catholic bishops of Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, have issued a joint statement about immigration policy and enforcement in the United States.

This "Life Wins" sign sums up the confidence marchers have in the ultimate triumph of their cause. Credit: Jeffrey Bruno

PHOTOS: A look at the 2025 March for Life

Jan 25, 2025 / 17:12 pm

On Friday, Jan. 24, the 52nd annual March for Life took place in Washington, D.C., with tens of thousands of pro-lifers gathering to march in defense of the unborn.

Ethics and Public Policy Center President Ryan Anderson. Credit: “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” screenshot

‘We have been living under a lawless regime’: Catholics celebrate Trump overhauls

Jan 21, 2025 / 10:45 am

Several high-profile Catholic intellectuals in the United States anticipated and celebrated a number of changes that are coming to the country.

Opus Dei founder St. Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer in Mexico in 1970. Credit: Opus Dei/Flickr

Opus Dei contests charges of malfeasance in author’s new book

Jan 14, 2025 / 15:00 pm

The book, written by Gareth Gore, describes Opus Dei as “a secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic sect” that “pushed its radical agenda ... around the globe.”

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter makes a short speech from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Credit: Davis Turner/Getty Images

Christian faith a hallmark of former president Jimmy Carter’s life

Dec 29, 2024 / 17:33 pm

A clear and consistent profession of Christian faith, both in word and deed, characterized the life former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday.

“I think you’ll see a different side of Mr. Trump,” EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo told CNA. “The visuals will also be original as we will be decked out in our tuxes and tails for the Al Smith dinner.” Credit: EWTN News

Trump interview with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo to coincide with Al Smith dinner

Oct 16, 2024 / 16:40 pm

The most emblematically Catholic event in U.S. presidential campaigns, the Al Smith dinner, is set to be the backdrop for Donald Trump’s Oct. 17 interview with EWTN's Raymond Arroyo.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter makes a short speech from the stage during the Billy Graham Library Dedication Service on May 31, 2007, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Credit: Davis Turner/Getty Images

Christian faith a hallmark of life of 100-year-old former U.S. president

Oct 1, 2024 / 11:00 am

A clear and consistent profession of Christian faith, both in word and deed, has characterized the life of 100-year-old former U.S. president Jimmy Carter.

null Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Pew survey in U.S. and Latin America gauges views on Church teachings, popularity of Pope Francis 

Sep 26, 2024 / 10:10 am

The Pew Research Center has released the results of a survey of how Catholics in the U.S. and six Latin American countries think the Church should handle issues.

“If we are attacked because of our common baptism, maybe we should also live this common baptism,” said Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem. Credit: “EWTN News Nightly” screenshot

Christian community comes closer together amid attacks in the Holy Land

Sep 19, 2024 / 14:47 pm

Although interreligious dialogue has suffered as a result of the intensification of conflict in the Holy Land, the situation has also led to tighter bonds among Christians. 

During the 2024 Napa Institute Summer Conference, Lila Rose spoke with EWTN News President Montse Alvarado about the task currently before the pro-life movement. Credit: EWTN News/Screenshot

Lila Rose on 2024 task for pro-life movement, podcast debut on EWTN

Aug 10, 2024 / 10:00 am

On the occasion of her podcast joining the EWTN programming lineup, Lila Rose discussed the task currently before America’s pro-life movement.

Rebecca Kiessling holds a sign at the Almost Aborted launch event on June 7, 2024, in Times Square in New York City. Kiessling was conceived in rape, and her mother almost chose abortion, but life-affirming legislation protected her. Credit: Photo courtesy of Students for Life of America

Election 2024: Culture of life, culture of death square off

Aug 8, 2024 / 06:00 am

Two recently launched media campaigns illustrate the epic clash between the culture of life and the culture of death taking place in this year’s U.S. elections.

Richard DeGraff (at left, next to Mother Angelica in early 1981, and at right) played a key role in getting EWTN off the ground. Credit: Photos courtesy of the DeGraff family

Last of founding board members of EWTN, Richard DeGraff, dies at 94 

Aug 5, 2024 / 18:28 pm

Richard DeGraff, a founding board member at EWTN who was instrumental in helping Mother Angelica launch the network, passed away July 31 at age 94. 

Patients' Rights Action Fund Executive Director Matt Vallière belongs to a broad spectrum of people — secular, religious, left, and right — who share the unifying principle that every person is of equal value and is deserving of equal suicide prevention care. Credit: Ken Oliver-Méndez/CNA

Pushback against physician-assisted suicide grows, seen as ‘winnable’ issue

Jul 29, 2024 / 09:20 am

Defenders of the disabled and others who oppose the devaluation of vulnerable lives are expressing optimism about the tide beginning to turn on assisted suicide.