During the audience with members of the Dicastery for Communication, Francis spoke of his dream of communicating “from heart to heart”, even without spending a lot of money.
Francis to the General Assembly of the Dicastery of Communication (Vatican Media)
“Please help me to make the Heart of Jesus known to the world, through compassion for this wounded land. Help me, with communication, so that the world, ‘which survives between wars, socioeconomic imbalances, consumerism and use anti-human nature of technology, can recover what is most important and necessary: the heart,’ the Pope said this morning to the participants in the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for Communicationwhom he received in audience.
In his speech before the Dicastery for Communication, the organization that brings together all the Vatican media, Francis started from the “armor of God” – which is spoken of in the first reading of today’s liturgy, taken from chapter six of the Letter to the Ephesians -, to which Saint Paul gives attributes to resist evil: “Therefore stand firm, having your loins girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, with your feet shod with readiness for the Gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6, 14-15).”
“That could also be the mark of a good communicator, don’t you think?” Francis asked the journalists present, considering that this “armament” should also characterize Vatican communicators: “Above all as communicators, they are called to weave the ecclesial community with truth on its waist, justice as armor and feet shod to spread the Gospel of peace”.
Building bridges, going to the edges
This communication is about “building bridges where so many build walls; fostering a community where so many divisions deepen; engaging with the dramas of our time, when so many prefer indifference,” the Pope said.
Church communicators must be “creative,” communicate from the heart, and use media and technology “intelligently.” In this spirit, Francis asked his journalists to help him spread the Good News to the world.
In their service as ambassadors of truth, justice and peace, he also stressed that they must not forget their ecclesiastical affiliation: “If we thought and acted according to political or business categories, we would not be the Church. If we applied secular criteria or reduced our structures to bureaucracy, we would not be the Church. That is not possible!” Francis warned.
Francisco has a dream: “From heart to heart”
“I dream of a communication that can connect people and cultures. I dream of a communication capable of telling and valuing stories and testimonies that happen in all corners of the world, disseminating them and offering them to everyone,” Francis expressed to his Communication Department.
And he continued: “I dream of a heart-to-heart communication, of letting ourselves be touched by what is human, of letting ourselves be touched by the dramas that so many of our brothers and sisters live through. I dream of a communication that educates people to give up a little bit of themselves to leave space for the other; a passionate, curious and competent communication, which knows how to delve into reality to tell it.
“The Gospel is a story of encounters, gestures, looks and dialogues in the street and at the table,” said the Pope, who spoke of a “beauty in the encounters with the Samaritan woman, with Nicodemus, with the adulteress, with the blind man.” Bartimaeus.”
Like Jesus, Catholic journalists should pay special attention to the stories of the last, the poor, the immigrants and the victims of war, and tell them authentically and without “slogans.” Their work must contribute to inclusion, dialogue and peace. For example, through reporting on peace efforts around the world. “How urgent it is to give space to the peacemakers!” he exclaimed.
“Do not tire of telling your testimonies, in all parts of the world. The world is being shaken by “terrible violence,” Francis noted, but Christians draw hope from “many stories of good, small and large.”
Austerity policies
Francis invited his dicastery to “go out more, dare more, risk more. It is not about spreading one’s own ideas, but about telling reality with honesty and passion.”
The Pope encouraged his journalists to try new things, without fear, and referred to “new languages” and “new forms” in the digital space. It is also important to implement the synodal style in the field of communication, which was also the topic of the plenary assembly of the Dicastery in recent days.
“All this should be possible without the need to use more money,” the Holy Father made clear, and announced new austerity measures, which could especially worry work units that have already suffered cuts.
“We have to be a little more disciplined with money. They must find a way to save more and look for other means, because the Holy See can no longer help itself like before. I know it is bad news, but it is good because it stimulates the creativity of all of you,” he warned.
The Bishop of Rome explicitly recognized the efforts of the Dicastery to expand the linguistic range of the Vatican media, despite the aforementioned austerity policy: recently, Lingala, Mongolian and Kannada were added to the more than 50 languages that They were already being used. He also expressed his gratitude for the great commitment that the Vatican communication apparatus will assume in the Holy Year 2025. Thanks to the Vatican media, many people who will not be able to travel will also be able to participate in the Jubilee festivities from a distance.
The great service of Gloria Fontana
During the audience, Francisco also paid tribute to Gloria Fontanaan employee of Vatican Radio, who is retiring this Thursday the 31st after almost half a century (48 years of service): “He came on the day of his first communion,” the Pope joked. “In secret, he provided a great service by dedicating himself to transcribing the Pope’s speeches,” he concluded.+
