2026 has been a banner year for news at the intersection of American politics, the Catholic Church, and the news media. 

This week, another unexpected turn: Montse Alvarado, EWTN News president (and my former boss), was tapped to take over the Vatican communications department. The 39-year-old Mexican American will now oversee the entire media network of the Holy See, including the Holy See press office, Vatican News, the Vatican Publishing House, and several other media entities.