Pope advises Catholic journalists: 'Tell stories that nourish hope'

Pope meets Filipino journalist and Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa during Jubilee of World of Communication gathering. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

As Catholic journalists from across the world gathered in Rome for the Jubilee of the World of Communication this weekend, Pope Francis urged them to approach their work with courage, integrity, and a steadfast focus on hope, liberating "the inner strength of the heart." "Let your storytelling be hope-telling", the Pope said in his prepared address on Saturday, to communicators gathered in the Paul VI Hall.

Pope Francis began by expressing his deep gratitude to them, acknowledging the many journalists who risk their lives to uncover the truth, particularly in conflict zones.

After honouring those killed, the Pope appealed for the release of those who have been imprisoned "simply for being faithful to their profession". Noting that the freedom of journalists is essential for the freedom of all citizens, he emphasized that "free, responsible, and accurate information is a treasure of knowledge, experience, and virtue that must be preserved and promoted."

"Free, responsible, and accurate information is a treasure of knowledge, experience, and virtue that must be preserved and promoted. Without it, we risk no longer distinguishing truth from falsehood; without it, we expose ourselves to growing prejudices and polarizations that destroy the bonds of civil coexistence and prevent us from rebuilding fraternity."

Describing journalism as a vocation and a mission, Pope went on to remark that communicators have a "unique" responsibility that extends beyond the mere reporting of facts. How information is conveyed matters greatly making a difference "between a communication that rekindles hope, builds bridges, opens doors, and a communication that increases divisions, polarizations, and oversimplifications of reality."

"A good communication, he continued, requires "study and reflection, the ability to see and listen; to stand with the marginalized, those unseen and unheard, and to rekindle - in the hearts of those who read, listen, or watch you - a sense of good and evil and a longing for the good you recount and bear witness to."

Central to Pope Francis' reflection was courage in the pursuit of truth and positive transformation. Recalling the Latin etymology of the word which is "to have heart," he reiterated the call he has repeatedly addressed to communicators in his Messages for the World Communications Days, including this year, "to listen with the heart, to speak with the heart, to guard the wisdom of the heart and to share the hope of the heart."

Pope Francis therefore urged the audience to use this Jubilee year as an opportunity to "free the heart from what corrupts it", using communication to inspire goodness and positive change. Addressing modern challenges like social media addiction which "rots" minds, he again advocated for media literacy and critical thinking to combat superficial consumption of information. The Pope called for collaborative efforts from media professionals, educators, and innovators to ensure communication serves the common good.

Drawing on the example of the Conversion of Paul, he reminded Catholic communicators of their power to ignite positive change through truthful storytelling. "Stories reveal our being part of a living fabric, the intertwining threads that connect us to one another," he said.

"Not all stories are good, yet they must be told. Evil must be seen to be redeemed, but it must be told well, so as not to wear down the fragile threads of coexistence."

Bringing his address to a close , Pope Francis encouraged Catholic communicators to "tell stories of hope, that nourish life": "Telling hope," he said "means allowing people to hope against hope …. and having a gaze that transforms things, making them what they could and should be."