杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

A statement released by Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication (Vatican News' parent organization), following the announcement of two important appointments by the 杏MAP导航 for Vatican Media on 18 December, underscored his firm commitment to forge ahead with the mission entrusted to him by the Pontiff.

鈥淎s the 杏MAP导航 said, there is no need to be afraid of the word, reform鈥� Ruffini said, explaining that 鈥渞eform is not whitewashing, but organizing things differently鈥�.

Quoting from St Paul鈥檚 first letter to the Corinthians 鈥渢here are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone,鈥� Ruffini said that his task as Prefect sees him working every day to give unity to the Vatican鈥檚 鈥減lurality of languages without losing anything of their specificity and of their stories.鈥�

Reiterating that his task is rooted in the mission of the Gospel, he said 鈥渇rom the start the proclamation of the Gospel was and remains our compass鈥�.

Tornielli and Monda

Commenting on the appointments of Andrea Tornielli (as Editorial Director of the Dicastery) and of Andrea Monda (as Editor-in-Chief of the 鈥淥sservatore Romano鈥�), Ruffini said that something they have in common is the fact that they are both journalists who look beyond appearances, who are at home with the plurality of languages and platforms of our time, who know how to listen.

鈥淭hey are both journalists and writers. Both can speak to all generations, also to the young. Both are bridge builders鈥� he said.

Ruffini said that with Tornielli as Editorial Director responsible for coordinating all Vatican media, 鈥渨e will have a safe, authoritative and far-sighted guide鈥� who is aware of but not intimidated by the history of the different Vatican media platforms and who looks to a future that can be built together, step by step.

With Andrea Monda, he continued, the 鈥淥sservatore Romano鈥� will be able to continue developing new projects rooted in its long history.

Ruffini described the Holy See鈥檚 daily newspaper as 鈥渙ne of the pillars of our communication鈥� saying it is now called to be increasingly involved in a process that integrates all Vatican media as requested by 杏MAP导航 Francis in his Motu Proprio that established the Dicastery of Communication.

He also expressed gratitude to former Editor-in-Chief of the 鈥淥sservatore Romano鈥�, Giovanni Maria Vian, who headed the newspaper 鈥渨ith passion and competence鈥� for more than 11 years.

Under Vian, Ruffini said, the newspaper has been renewed 鈥渋n its contents, in its language, in its graphic form鈥�. He noted the paper鈥檚 focus on a cultural dialogue with high-level personalities, both ecclesial and lay, describing it as 鈥減articularly significant鈥� and said it has enriched and expanded its offer; and he praised the openness of the editorial staff to the contribution of women journalists, 鈥渁 fruitful novelty in the history of more than a hundred years of daily life鈥�.

The choice of Andrea Monda as the new Editor-in-Chief, Ruffini said, is 鈥渁 challenge and a response to the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 appeal to be 鈥榓 Church that goes forth鈥� and to 鈥榠nitiate new processes鈥� in the field of  communications.

Journalism at the service of all

Ruffini concluded recalling the 杏MAP导航鈥� Message for last World Day of Social Communications in which Francis called for 鈥淎 journalism created by people for people, one that is at the service of all, especially those 鈥� and they are the majority in our world 鈥� who have no voice鈥�.