Catholic News Service in Rome wins nine awards for its work in Catholic media

The Catholic Media Association recognized the work of the Rome staff at Catholic News Service, which has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years.

Catholic News Service Rome interviews then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost after a consistory led by Pope Francis for the creation of 21 new cardinals at the Vatican Sept. 30, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

ROME (CNS) -- The Catholic News Service team in Rome won nine awards from the Catholic Media Association, which were announced during the 2025 Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Incorporated in 1911, the Catholic Media Association is an organization of publishers and media professionals for a total of about 355 member organizations, which include 890 media professionals.

Catholic News Service has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years. Its six-person team is made up of three full-time reporters, one photographer, one multimedia journalist and one administrative assistant.

CNS took home two first-place awards with the following comments from the judges:

-- Best Coverage: Papal Trips with "Papal Trip to Venice" by Carol Glatz, Lola Gomez, and Robert Duncan.

"This package beautifully paints the pope's visit to Venice with its descriptive reporting and focus on setting the visual scene. The video and photographs that accompanied the writing brought the reader in to more fully experience the visit. The reporting offered clear coverage of the people's message to the people of Venice, and comprehensive reporting regarding the details of the one-day event."

Click through to see the stories, photos and video in this winning series:

Like Venice, people are beautiful, fragile, pope says in city built on water

Pope praises artists, encourages prisoners to never lose hope

Vatican releases list of papal liturgies, trip for April and May

Pope visits Venice

Pope Francis arrived for a brief to Venice April 28, creating impressive images of a pope boating on the city's famous canals and meeting with a variety of groups eager to greet him. (CNS video/Robert Duncan)

-- First place for Best Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament for "The diaconate is ‘surrender’ to Jesus, U.S. archbishop says at ordination Mass" by Justin McLellan.

"The descriptive language in this piece is exceptional -- it captures the reader's attention, holds it and leaves them wanting more. The story is full of heart and creates a strong emotional connection with the reader."

oct 3 2024 — New deacons from the Pontifical North American College in Rome lie prostrate during their ordination in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 3, 2024. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)

Click below to see the story and photos:

Diaconate is 'surrender' to Jesus, U.S. archbishop says at ordination Mass

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CNS took home four second-place awards with the following comments from the judges:

-- Second place for Best Photograph, Scenic, Still-life or Weather for "A Swiss Guard at Easter Mass" by Lola Gomez

"The subject bursts into view in the photo's technicolor brilliance, which even gives the shallow depth-of-field background dynamic prominence."

-- Second place for Best News writing on a Local or Regional Event -- Wire Service for "Vatican sees spiritual value of Medjugorje, doesn't judge it supernatural" by Cindy Wooden:

"A quality article explaining the church's stance on visions."

-- Second place for Best Story and Photo Package by Two Individuals or More for "From on high: A rare glimpse from the top of St. Peter's Baldachin" by Justin McLellan and Lola Gomez:

"Representative of several strong submissions from this organization, this entry stands out for the unique details it presents regarding the historic preservation project it chronicles. It finds the right details to tease out to clarify both the historical significance of the project and the personal lives intertwined with it."

Since February the imposing 17th-century canopy, known as a baldachin, has been shrouded in scaffolding as restorers gradually worked their way up to the top of the 10-story structure, affording them the most intimate view of the towering structure seen by anyone since its last professional restoration in 1758, more than 260 years ago. Full story here: From on high: A rare glimpse from the top of St. Peter's baldachin

-- Second place for Best News Video -- Diocesan and National News Organizations for "In-depth with U.S. Vatican ambassador" by Robert Duncan and Carol Glatz.

"The set up was beautiful for an important interview. The good use of sound and visuals to bring a skilled journalist's one-on-one interview with the U.S. Vatican ambassador to the world, holding the viewer's interest in this podcast style approach."

In-depth with U.S. Vatican ambassador

An in-depth look at the mission of the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. (CNS video/Robert Duncan) (March 13, 2024)

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CNS took home three third-place awards.

-- Best Feature Writing -- National Newspaper or Wire Service for "Angels or aliens? Some researchers say Vatican Archives hold UFO secrets" by Robert Duncan.

"This is an interesting story that would probably attract a wide variety of newspaper readers -- the headline is definitely an attention-getter. It is well-written and accessible. I found it interesting to think about what the possibilities might be for unearthing archived records regarding UFOs -- the article thus encourages ongoing thought about the topic. Great work!"

-- Third place for Best Coverage -- Papal Trips with "Papal trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore" by Cindy Wooden, Lola Gomez and Robert Duncan.

vanimo — A young indigenous woman with her face painted with traditional markings, wears a headdress made of leaves and feathers during Pope Francis’ visit to the School and Queen of Paradise Hall in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 8, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

"What a great collection of stories! These are all very informative and even educational. I very much appreciated the effort and skill in bringing more obscure or unfamiliar stories to the forefront. The explanations within the articles are clear, and the writing is highly accessible. I really like the way the articles provide diverse perspectives and present differences evenhandedly. Bravo!"

Click through to see the stories and more photos in this winning series on the pope's visit to Asia and Oceania:

Pope in remote Pacific town: Match creation's beauty with beauty of love

Traditional respect for clergy in Timor-Leste must not be exploited, pope says

Both US presidential candidates espouse anti-life views, pope says

Pope in Asia: Be joyful in faith

On his first full day in Papua New Guinea Sept. 7, 2024, Pope Francis emphasized that faith should be a genuine way of life rather than just a label. (CNS video/Robert Duncan)

-- Third place for Best Video -- Catechesis, Diocesan and National News Organizations for "U.S. seminarians in Rome reflect on the Litany of Humility" by Robert Duncan.

"This engaging and informative video on the Litany of Humility takes the viewer on a journey to St. Peter's Basilica where seminarians who are being formed in Christ educate and inspire us. The use of music, historical images and highly professional videography draw us in. This short but impactful video is very well done."

U.S. seminarians in Rome reflect on the Litany of Humility

U.S. seminarians in Rome talk to CNS about the Litany of Humility. (CNS video/Robert Duncan) (June 3, 2024)

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Reporting by CNS Rome is made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign. Give to the CCC special collection in your diocese or any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

With its Rome bureau founded in 1950, Catholic News Service has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years. CNS Rome continues to be your fair, faithful and informed connection to the Holy See.

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