World Communications Day falls this year on Sunday, 1 June. The theme centres around the need to communicate responsibly to foster a culture of hope and peace.
For this Catholic News podcast, we speak to our Media Bishop, the Rt Revd John Arnold, to discuss the final Communications Day message of Pope Francis’s pontificate and how Pope Leo XIV has picked up where his predecessor left off to speak positively about the need to build bridges with our words:
“Pope Leo was very measured with the media professionals [in a meeting four days after his election]. He presented language as a force for good if used properly. He was clearly critical of those who would want to lead us astray by using aggressive language or spreading misinformation, but he praised those who use language to present the truth in a reasoned way, which isn’t divisive or aggressive, but helpful to us when we’re trying to build that sense of unity and peace.
“This was so clear in the speech he made from the balcony when he was elected Pope. He used the word ‘peace’ nine times and spoke about building bridges.
“The language that journalists use can be a real foundation for building bridges and avoiding those walls of division.”
Interviewer Fionn Shiner also quizzes Bishop Arnold on:
The journalistic skill of asking tough questions fairly.
How we can be better communicators in this fast-paced digital world.
Pope Leo echoing Pope Francis’s strong words on the need to disarm communication of prejudice, resentment, fanaticism, and hatred.
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