July 15, 2009. The media’s interest for the Catholic Church rose considerably during John Paul II’s pontificate. He attracted even more attention with his death and the election of Benedict XVI. His funeral received unprecedented world coverage, as did the election of a new pope.
Giovanni Tridente
Author
I think the media’s coverage was in tune with the personality of John Paul II.
Norberto Gonzalez Gaitano
Professor, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
The Church went from being in the corner to having an unprecedented public image. This poses a different situation. It has its risks, too, because the Church could suffer from excessive publicity.
This interest waned in some parts of the media with the election of Benedict XVI, who had a less media-friendly personality than his predecessor. But that doesn’t mean the pope does not appreciate the importance of the media.
Norberto Gonzalez Gaitano
Professor, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
Benedict XVI, in my opinion, is completely aware of this. That people need to get the real image of the Church, which is certainly young and alive, but faces difficulties.
During the conclave in the aftermath of John Paul II’s death there were some 9,000 journalists in the city of Rome. Information on the pope and the Catholic church continues to flow. And proof that the mass public still has access to it are the 400 accredited journalists from 35 countries in the Holy See’s press office.
PVB/RS
