Vatican City. Pope Francis received accredited journalists in an audience at the Vatican today, thanking them for the work they do as his “traveling companions” and their commitment to the truth.
The Pope emphasized that the beauty of the work of correspondents lies in “founding it on the solid rock of responsibility for the truth, not on the fragile sand of speeches and ideological readings; “which consists in not hiding the reality and even its misery.”
The work of communicators must be carried out “without alleviating tensions, but at the same time without making unnecessary noise and trying to capture what is essential,” the Pope emphasized in his words to members of the International Association of Journalists Accredited Holy See.
“Being a journalist is a calling, a bit like that of a doctor who chooses to love humanity by healing its diseases,” touching “the wounds of society and the world,” said Francisco, urging news professionals , “to return to the wounds of society and the world”. Roots of this calling” and “remember the call that unites you in such an important task.”
“On the one hand, how great is the need to know and tell and, on the other hand, how great is the need to cultivate an unconditional love for the truth!” He quoted St. Pope John XXIII. and emphasized the importance of “building bridges of knowledge and communication rather than rifts of division and mistrust.”
“I want to thank you not only for what you write and transmit, but also for your perseverance and patience in following day after day the news that comes from the Holy See and the Church,” with a “subtlety of soul that contributes to journalistic standards”. “Can,” emphasized Pope Francis.