LUIS ANDRÉS HENAO
Multimedia Journalist
Luis is a multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting across the globe. He serves as the Global Religion Reporter at the Associated Press, covering the intersection of faith, culture, and geopolitics. His work has taken him to some of the world’s most remote and challenging locations, including Alaska, Antarctica, and the Amazon, where he has worked on breaking news, enterprise stories, and multimedia projects as a text reporter, photographer and producer.
Luis notable investigations includes the Catholic Church’s clergy abuse scandal and its subsequent cover-ups. He has also covered significant events such as Venezuela’s economic crisis, South America’s mining trade, and high-profile international sports events, including the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Pan American Games.
Luis holds a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University (2009) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Emerson College (2006). He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2025 AP Global Best of the Week (Second winner)
Trump fuels Greenland’s independence fight with his talk of seizing the island
Behind the story: Compelling, all-formats package shows how Greenlanders are responding to being thrust into the global spotlight
2025 Religion Story of the Year (3rd Place) – Religion News Association
Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba
2025 Award of Excellence – Religion Communicators Council
Afro-Cuban drums, Muslim prayers, Buddhist mantras: Religious diversity blooms in once-atheist Cuba
2025 Award of Merit – Religion Communicators Council
Haitians in Ohio find solidarity at church after chaotic week of false pet-eating claims
2024 Renner Award for Enterprise Religion Reporting – Religion News Association
The Nones South America, series of stories about the dramatic rise of nonbelievers worldwide.
2024 Wilbur Award for Excellence in Religion Reporting – Religion Communicators Council
The Nones South America, series of stories about the dramatic rise of nonbelievers worldwide.
2024 AP Spotlights
Today he is a high school football player. Soon he’ll be a Buddhist lama in the Himalayas
2023 AP Global Best (Honorable mention)
Rastafari gain sacramental rights to marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda, celebrate freedom of worship
Behind the story: Exclusive look at why Rastafari have new weed rights in Antigua
2022 AP Global Best of the Week (First winner)
Saving Sacred Rivers
Behind the story: AP’s global ‘Sacred Rivers’ series explores hallowed waterways and cultures under threat
2022 AP Global Best of the Week (First winner)
Salvadoran women jailed for abortion warn US of total ban
Behind the story: AP explores El Salvador’s strict abortion ban through the voices of women who lived it
2022 AP Global Best of the Week (First winner)
Climate Migration: Alaska village resists despite threats
AP PHOTOS: Alaska village still home despite climate threat
Climate change threatens culture on Alaska Island
Behind the story: At the edge of the world, AP reports on resilient, defiant Alaska Native islanders facing climate change
2021 AP Best of States
Election turmoil splits West Virginia city’s evangelicals
Behind the story: AP team finds diversity of politics and religion among West Virginia evangelicals
2021 Wilbur Award for Excellence in Religion Reporting – Religion Communicators Council
Inside New York’s Latino congregations, united in grief | The Associated PressInside New York’s Latino congregations, united in grief | The Associated Press
Young priest loses mentor, then his father -- both to virus
2020 AP Best of the Week
2 Hispanic churches and too many tears: 100 COVID-19 deaths
Young priest loses mentor, then his father -- both to virus
NY priest on virus front lines with embattled congregation
Behind the story: Inside New York’s Latino congregations, united in grief
2020 AP Best of States
Pandemic, loss unite 2 rural Missouri pastors around faith
Behind the story: All-formats team tells the shared story of rural Missouri churches, immigrants, adversity and faith
2020 AP Best of States
A family struggle as pandemic worsens food insecurity
Photo story: a family struggle as pandemic worsens food insecurity
Behind the story: AP’s portrait of a family forced into tough choices during the pandemic