Pope Francis received the journalism award “È giornalismo” and gave a speech in which he emphasized the importance of constructive communication. He spoke about the urgency of promoting a culture of encounter, peace, and openness towards others, as opposed to a culture of conflict and war. He also highlighted the dangers of misinformation and called on journalists to contribute to more responsible and truthful communication. The Pope also discussed synodality as a new way of experiencing relationships within the Church, inviting everyone to walk, question, and make decisions together.
Reading the Pope’s speech raises a whole series of urgent questions:
The culture of encounter: How can the Congregation of the Mission contribute to promoting a culture of encounter and peace through its communication?
Fighting disinformation: What strategies could the communication office of the Congregation of the Mission adopt to combat disinformation, especially in relation to serving the poor?
Synodality and Community: How can the Congregation of the Mission integrate the concept of synodality into its communicative approach, to create a sense of community and inclusion?
Let’s try to touch on some answers!
The Commitment of the Congregation of the Mission in Communication for the Service of the Poor
The recent awarding of the “È giornalismo” prize to Pope Francis has highlighted the importance of constructive communication, based on the culture of encounter, peace, and openness towards others. These values, deeply rooted in the teachings of Saint Vincent, find a particular resonance in the work of the Congregation of the Mission, especially through its communication office.
A Culture of Encounter
From its very beginnings, the Congregation of the Mission has always promoted a culture of encounter. Being an International and Intercultural Congregation, it has always kept the debate on this value alive.
Through its missions and charitable works, it has sought to build bridges between different communities, cultures, and people. The communication office has the task of amplifying this message, showing the world the success stories, challenges, and opportunities that arise from the daily work of the Congregation. In an era where polarization and division seem to prevail, it is essential to show concrete examples of how the encounter can lead to deep understanding and collaboration.
Fighting Disinformation
Pope Francis has emphasized the dangers of disinformation, calling it one of the “sins of journalism.” The Congregation of the Mission, through its communication office, has the responsibility to ensure that the information disseminated is accurate, truthful, and based on concrete facts. This is particularly important when it comes to serving the poor, as disinformation can lead to prejudice, stereotypes, and misunderstandings that can hinder efforts of aid and support.
Synodality and Community
The concept of synodality, as described by Pope Francis, offers a vision of a Church where everyone walks, questions, and decides together. This vision of community and inclusion should also be reflected in the communication of the Congregation of the Mission. The communication office can play a crucial role in promoting this vision, showing how the Congregation works together, listens to the voices of the poor, and makes decisions based on the common good.
In conclusion, we can strongly assert and directly testify that communication is not just a tool to disseminate information, but also a means to build bridges, promote understanding, and support the work of the Congregation of the Mission. In a world where communication can be used to divide, it is essential that the Congregation of the Mission uses it to unite, inspire, and serve.
Girolamo Grammatico
Communication Office
