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John Allen Guest
John Allen

Boston Globe

Associate Editor, specializing in coverage of the Vatican and the Catholic Church, for the Boston Globe; author of several books, including The Rise of Benedict XVI: The Inside Story of How the Pope Was Elected and Where He Will Take the Catholic Church, The Future Church: How Ten Trends Are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church, Against the Tide: The Radical Leadership of Pope Francis and 10 Things Pope Francis Wants You to Know; former senior correspondent and former Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter (1997-2014)

FROM John Allen

Pope Francis arrives at the White House
To the Point

Pope Francis arrives at the White House Pope Francis arrived at the South Portico of the White House, President Obama framed his visit in a broad context.

6 MIN, 30 SEC Sep 23, 2015

Pope Francis Sees "Spiritual Diseases" in the Church
To the Point

Pope Francis Sees "Spiritual Diseases" in the Church After less than two years as the first Pope from Latin America, Francis today listed 15 "ailments" of the cardinals, bishops and priests who run the Roman Catholic Church — beginning with "feeling immortal, immune or indispensable." This has been "a tumultuous year for the Vatican," with divisions about Pope Francis becoming "glaringly apparent among senior leadership."  The Pope himself has become "more emboldened" about a reform agenda.  That's according to John Allen, veteran Vatican reporter now with the Boston Globe .

9 MIN, 40 SEC Dec 22, 2014

Praying for Peace in a Hostile Climate
To the Point

Praying for Peace in a Hostile Climate Pope Francis visited the Middle East at the end of May. Now he's following up by inviting leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to "pray for peace" in the Vatican this coming Sunday. The Pontiff from Argentina is injecting a new perspective into the heart of diplomacy at a time of increasing tension. Yesterday, Israel announced more settlements in the West Bank, in response to recent "unity" between the Palestinian Authority and its "terrorist" rival Hamas. We hear how all these developments reflect changes in the region. Are Israel and the Obama Administration further apart than ever?

34 MIN, 50 SEC Jun 06, 2014

The President, the Pope and the Saudis
To the Point

The President, the Pope and the Saudis Today, President Obama went to the Vatican for the first time since Francis was elected Pope a year ago. The President presented Pope Francis a gift of seeds today, perhaps suggesting his Administration wants a re-boot in relations with the Vatican. Can their shared emphasis on the plight of the poor overcome Obama's differences with American Bishops and give him a political boost at home? Tomorrow, the President will visit a more uncertain ally: Saudi Arabia, which fears that a nuclear deal might lead to detente with its regional adversary, Iran. With the US less dependent on Saudi oil, will this week's visit reaffirm a traditional tie or provide fresh insight into the new world order?

35 MIN, 38 SEC Mar 27, 2014

How Will Pope Francis Change the Catholic Church?
To the Point

How Will Pope Francis Change the Catholic Church? Since Pope Francis was elected in March, he has challenged the Roman Catholic establishment, using words like “obsessed” and “narcissistic.” Instead of abortion, gay marriage and contraception, he’s emphasized social justice and the plight of the poor. But he hasn’t changed a word of church doctrine. Is he a liberal poised to come out of a theological closet—or a master of public relations, who can make hard teachings go down easy? He’s already an immensely popular figure worldwide. Will he change the church in America—and why should non-Catholics care? Pope Francis comes from Argentina. He’s the first non-European ever to preside over the Vatican. In just 7 months, he’s made a host of controversial statements in interviews with reporters—and he’s become hugely popular with Roman Catholics all over the world. We’ll hear a variety of opinions about his style, his doctrine—and his potential influence worldwide and here in America.

34 MIN, 47 SEC Oct 11, 2013

The Vatican, American Nuns and the Politics of Healthcare Reform
To the Point

The Vatican, American Nuns and the Politics of Healthcare Reform A leadership group of American nuns supports President Obama's healthcare reform , even though the US Conference of Bishops call it a threat to religious liberty. Now the nuns say they're "stunned" by blistering criticism and threats of de-certification by the Vatican for what it calls "doctrinal problems" and "radical feminist themes." When they went to Rome to confront Cardinal William Levada, the former Bishop of San Francisco, who's leading the the crackdown, he called it a "dialogue with the deaf." But the nuns aren't backing down. Are American Catholics caught in a battle between religious obedience and partisan politics?

35 MIN, 19 SEC Jun 15, 2012

Pope John Paul II on the Way to Sainthood
To the Point

Pope John Paul II on the Way to Sainthood A French nun diagnosed with Parkinson's disease prayed to Pope John Paul II after his death. She wrote his name on a piece of paper and, the next day, she woke up cured. Pope Benedict XVI said today that meets the standards for a miracle and beatification, the first step toward sainthood. But critics have raised questions about the miracle itself and the fast track to sainthood for a popular and conservative church leader. John Allen covers the Vatican for the National Catholic Reporter .

8 MIN, 58 SEC Jan 14, 2011

The Catholic Church, the Next Generation
To the Point

The Catholic Church, the Next Generation On this Christmas Eve, we take another look at the evolution of the Roman Catholic Church , an ancient institution in a fast moving world. Los Angeles, America's largest Catholic Archdiocese, is now 70 percent Latino and will soon will be led, for the first time, by a bishop born in Mexico. To replace outgoing Archbishop Cardinal Roger Mahony, a relatively liberal leader of Irish-American stock, Pope Benedict XVI has named Jose Gomez , who's associated with the conservative group Opus Dei . Both facts are telling about the Church in America and the views of the Vatican. In Europe, there's talk of a "post Christian era," and two-thirds of the world's one billion Roman Catholics live in Asia, Africa and Latin America. How long will church teachings remain the same? (This segment was originally broadcast on April 12, 2010)

29 MIN, 57 SEC Dec 24, 2010

The Future of the Catholic Church
Which Way, L.A.?

The Future of the Catholic Church LA's Cardinal Roger Mahoney is a relatively liberal leader of Irish-American stock.  To replace him, Pope Benedict XVI has named Jose Gomez , an immigrant from Mexico, who's also associated with the conservative group Opus Dei . Both facts are telling about the Church in America and the views of the Vatican.

26 MIN, 40 SEC Apr 12, 2010

The Roman Catholic Future, in the US and Around the World
To the Point

The Roman Catholic Future, in the US and Around the World Pedophilia by priests is not the only recent development for an ancient institution trying to cope with fast-moving contemporary realities. America's largest Catholic archdiocese, Los Angeles, is now 70% Latino. It soon will be led -- for the first time -- by a bishop born in Mexico. Pope Benedict XVI has named Jose Gomez , an immigrant from Mexico, who's also associated with the conservative group Opus Dei , to replace outgoing Archbishop, Cardinal Roger Mahony, a relatively liberal leader of Irish-American stock. In Europe, there's talk of a "post-Christian era,” and two-thirds of the world's one billion Roman Catholics live in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We look at the conflict between tradition and change.

36 MIN, 8 SEC Apr 12, 2010

Pope Benedict on Pilgrimage to Middle East
To the Point

Pope Benedict on Pilgrimage to Middle East When Pope John Paul II went to the Middle East in 2000, a trip that was called "historic," he left a note at the Western Wall apologizing for Christian anti-Semitism. This week's visit by Benedict XVI takes place under different circumstances. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians seems more elusive than ever, and Benedict himself has contributed to ill-feelings. He lifted the excommunication of a bishop who's denied the Holocaust and linked the Prophet Mohammed to violence . Though Benedict describes himself as a "pilgrim of peace," " the world may be excused for holding its breath ," according to John Allen, senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter .

7 MIN, 7 SEC May 08, 2009

In Effort to Defuse Anger, Pope Meets with Muslim Diplomats
To the Point

In Effort to Defuse Anger, Pope Meets with Muslim Diplomats Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim diplomats today that Christians and Muslims must work together against intolerance and violence. He made clear he was responding to Muslim outrage over a speech he made earlier this month at the University of Regensburg in Germany.

6 MIN, 51 SEC Sep 25, 2006

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The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan?
To the Point

The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years.  Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement?  Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?

51 MIN, 16 SEC May 30, 2017

Who's to blame for the opioid crisis?
To the Point

Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.

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Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret?
To the Point

Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.

51 MIN, 12 SEC May 26, 2017

The week that wouldn't quit
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57 MIN, 4 SEC May 19, 2017

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