Synod. Pope’s Powerful Message To Journalists

Pope Francis called on journalists, named as “communicators” who monitor the work of the Synodal Assembly in the Vatican, to perform their journalistic function “well” and with “respect for the Church.”

According to the Vatican News online portal, in this context, the Pope recalled how disputes and media pressure at previous Synods intersected with discussions in the hall, often also determining the work agenda. “When the Synod on the Family (was held), there was public opinion, composed by laymen among us, that advocated communion for divorced people: and so we began the Synod. When the Synod on the Amazon (was held), there was public opinion, the pressure of which should have influenced the principle of “viri probati” (married priests): we started the Synod under this pressure, right?”

“Now,” said the Pope, “there are some hypotheses about the current Synod: but what will they do? Maybe the priesthood is for women, I don’t know, they’re talking about it outside, right? And they say many times that bishops are afraid to report what is happening.”

For this reason, the Pontiff directly addressed the “communicators,” asking them to “perform their role well and correctly, so that the Church and people of good will – let the rest say whatever they want – understand that even in the Church there is a priority to listen. Conveying exactly this: it’s very important.”

The first stage of the Synod will last until October 28 and will have to resolve a number of pressing issues that will range from the granting of the “priesthood to women,” to the protection of the “traditional family,” to abortion and the issue of same-sex couples.