By Fr Sixtus Pitah OFM
The Jubilee of the World of Communications in Rome, held from Jan 24-26, was a powerful experience for Catholic communicators. It began with a Welcome and Penitential Liturgy at the Basilica of St John Lateran, followed by a Eucharistic Celebration on the feast of St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of social communication.
On Jan 25, speakers Maria Ressa and Colum McCann shared insights on media challenges and the power of storytelling. Pope Francis addressed us, urging commitment to truth in communication. The day ended with Vespers at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, concluding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The highlight of my time in Rome came on Jan 27, when I had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace. Shaking hands with the Supreme Pontiff and looking into his eyes, I conveyed the love and prayers of the Malaysian Church and humbly requested his prayers for our nation. It was a moment of profound grace that will remain in my heart forever.
The following three days featured intensive discussions on the role of media in the Church. Maria Ressa opened the sessions by mapping out the current media environment and underscoring the importance of collaboration, fact-checking, and promoting media literacy. Fr Columban Jordan, OFR, and Moisés Sbardelotto then explored the shift in communication paradigms, particularly the rise of Catholic influencers and social media’s role in evangelisation.
A particularly thought-provoking talk was given by Fr Paolo Benanti, TOR, on artificial intelligence and its implications for Church communication. He spoke about AI’s potential to reshape how we disseminate and receive information, prompting reflection on the ethical responsibilities of Catholic communicators. Eli Pariser, founder of New Public Network, followed with insights on fostering healthy online communities that promote civic engagement and pluralism.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle led a spiritual reflection, guiding us to integrate faith into our communication work. Small group discussions using the Spiritual Conversation method allowed us to share our experiences and explore what it means to be Catholic communicators in today’s world.
On Jan 28, Colum McCann returned with a session on storytelling as a tool for breaking stereotypes and fostering communion. A diverse panel of communicators shared inspiring initiatives that have made significant impacts within and beyond the Church. Another forum explored engagement with youth, marginalised communities, and responses to misinformation and crises.
Afternoon workshops provided practical strategies, including Best Practices for Liturgy Broadcasting and Effective Strategies for Communication Offices. The day concluded with a Mass at St Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The final day (Jan 29) featured Spiritual Conversation sessions where language groups identified key themes from the conference. Reports were then presented, summarising insights and proposals for the future of Catholic communication. Paolo Ruffini, Director of the Dicastery for Social Communications, closed the conference with heartfelt gratitude to all participants and organizers.
As I left Rome, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. The Jubilee of Communications was not just an event — it was a transformative experience that reinforced the need for Catholic communicators to be bearers of truth, builders of dialogue, and witnesses of faith in the digital age. Our mission remains clear in an era of rapid information flow and evolving media landscapes: to communicate with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the Gospel. – Herald Malaysia
