David Willey, veteran BBC Vatican correspondent, dies at 93
David Willey, the esteemed BBC Vatican correspondent, has passed away at the age of 93. Willey dedicated more than fifty years to the BBC, during which he reported on significant events, including the 1957 signing of the Treaty of Rome and the Vietnam War. He covered five popes, witnessed the assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981, and authored a book on Pope Francis. His extensive career also included reporting from places like China and Algeria. Willey was honored with an OBE and met Pope Leo just last year.
Key facts
- David Willey died aged 93.
- He served as BBC foreign correspondent for over half a century.
- He was the BBC's Vatican correspondent covering five popes.
- He wrote a book on Pope Francis and received an OBE.
- He covered the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957.
- He reported on the Vietnam War and China after the communist revolution.
- He covered the assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981.
- He met Pope Leo last year.
Entities
Institutions
- BBC
- Reuters
- Vatican
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Algeria
- Vietnam
- China
- Bulgaria