Pope Leo XIV warmly welcomes Vatican Dicastery for Communication’s journalists and staff, along with their families, into the heart of the Vatican, and insists that the prayer that accompanies their daily work is what makes all the difference, even if the rest of the world may fail to understand that.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Little by little, I’m getting to know you… there are so many of you! I know you work with passion to spread the words and actions of the Pope everywhere. You do this every day, in a discreet and hidden way. But today I’m happy because I have the opportunity to see you, to meet you — especially in this family setting, all together.”
Pope Leo XIV greeted journalists and employees of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication in the heart of the Vatican, saying, “I’m happy to spend a little time with you, who make up the large working community of the Dicastery for Communication.”
Familial encounter, like our Church
The Pope expressed his delight at meeting them “let’s say, in a ‘family format,’ and I rejoice with you in that. Because the Church is a family, a family of families.”
He also said he was pleased to meet in front of the renowned Palazzina Leone XIII — the first seat of Marconi’s radio station in the Vatican Gardens, which, he added, “reminds us of Pope Leo XIII and, in particular, his attention to the means of social communication.”
The Pope commended the Dicastery employees for recalling the importance of prayer in their efforts. “How important it is,” Pope Leo underscored, “that our communication is accompanied by prayer!”
Our prayer is what makes the difference
“I would say that this makes all the difference,” he continued, reflecting, “The world might not know this, might not understand it — but we do, we know it, and we must always try to do it: accompany our daily communication work with prayer.”
The Holy Father acknowledged the Dicastery’s professionals come from many different countries, with different languages and types of work, “but all this diversity is put at the service of a single goal: to help the Pope and the Holy See communicate the Good News to the whole world.”
Pope Leo XIV with Dicastery for Communication journalists, employees and their families (@Vatican Media)
“As Saint Paul writes in the First Letter to the Corinthians, there are different gifts, but the same Spirit; different ministries, but the same Lord; different activities, but the same God who works all things in everyone.”
A diverse network with healthy priorities
The Holy Father also congratulated the Dicastery for the network they have been building over the years within the Dicastery; and doing so, “as Pope Francis would say, ‘by going out,’ that is, casting this net between the Holy See and the world, ‘putting out into the deep,’ to the ends of the earth.”
“It is above all a network of people, each with their own skills, made available to the Church … offered to the world to share the truth, to help people see and understand — always with love,” and “where roles are different, but no one is more important than the other.”
The Pope also recalled hearing that employees of the Dicastery gather each year in a simple way for a picnic. “That’s very good: that alongside work, you can share moments of relaxation and prayer.”
Yet, the Holy Father recognized, “this time, you’ve chosen to do it today, so afterward you can go to St. Peter’s Square to pray together for peace.”
Blessing with affection
Finally, he concluded by thanking those before him for this beautiful moment.
“I bless you all with affection, especially the children and your loved ones who are sick,” Pope Leo said, adding, “May Our Lady assist you and protect your families. Thank you to all of you!”
And lastly, the Holy Father invited them to join together in praying the Our Father: “Now, with the little ones and the grown-ups, we all know that God is Father, so let us pray together as Jesus taught us.”
Pope Leo XIV greeting families of Dicastery for Communication journalists and employees in Vatican (@Vatican Media)
