David Willey, esteemed BBC foreign correspondent, dies aged 93

David Willey, a distinguished BBC foreign correspondent whose career spanned over half a century, has passed away at the age of 93. Willey's extensive reporting took him to Algeria, Vietnam, and China, but he is most celebrated for his decades as the BBC's Vatican correspondent. During his tenure, he covered the papacies of five different popes, establishing himself as a leading journalistic voice on Vatican affairs.

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He was an incredible authority on the Vatican, reporting and travelling with five Popes, and was so kind, giving me insight and encouragement when I started in Rome in 2019.

Regarded as one of the most experienced journalists on the Vatican beat, Willey authored a book on Pope Francis. His significant contributions to broadcast journalism were recognized with an OBE. Even in his nineties, Willey remained actively engaged with his work, offering insights on the evolving Vatican landscape.

Willey began his journalistic journey as a trainee at the Reuters news agency, even covering the historic signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which laid the groundwork for the European Union. He later freelanced in Algeria before moving to East Africa as the BBC's correspondent in 1964. His career also included reporting from Asia, notably covering the Vietnam War and China following the communist revolution.

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I was actually there in the huge room frescoed with scenes from ancient Roman battles, when the six frock-coated founders of the Europe of the Six appended their signatures to the Treaty.

His time in Rome, however, defined much of his legacy. Willey's coverage of the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II was a notable assignment. He met his fifth pope, the newly elected Pope Leo, just last year. Mark Lowen, a BBC correspondent, remembered Willey as an "incredible authority on the Vatican," praising his kindness and encouragement to younger journalists.

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Crowded into the room were members of parliament, city authorities and, I seem to remember, a single red-hatted cardinal from the Vatican.