The Way of the Cross reflections in 2018 were written by students of Professor Andrea Monda. Soon after, Pope Francis named him the Director of “L'Osservatore Romano,” the Vatican's newspaper.
ANDREA MONDA
Director, “L'Osservatore Romano”
“It was a huge surprise because as a religion teacher, I couldn't imagine that I would one day be the director of the Holy See's newspaper. It was a great surprise, and this experience reminded me that life is always full of surprises, and that it is necessary to be prepared, to be able to recognize and welcome these surprises.”
Since taking over as head of the Vatican paper, Monda has worked on changing its focus, to make it a paper that helps people better understand the Pope's thinking, while also presenting current events from Rome's perspective.
ANDREA MONDA
Director, “L'Osservatore Romano”
“The Holy Father is very free, and he gives freedom to those who help him on his mission. He believes in people, he trusts in their sense of responsibility, which is why he's never interfered with our work.”
The paper recently turned 160 years old, and the Pope personally visited its headquarters, a few yards away from the Vatican. There, he autographed this newspaper and encouraged the employees to be ambitious.
POPE FRANCIS
“I have only one concern—there are many reasons to worry about Vatican Radio, about 'L'Osservatore Romano'—but there is one that is very close to my heart: how many people listen to the radio and how many read 'L'Osservatore Romano'?”
ANDREA MONDA
Director, “L'Osservatore Romano”
“The Holy Father is a father, not a grandfather. He didn't come to bring us candy. He came to show us his closeness, to congratulate us for the work we are doing, but also to remind us of the essence of our mission: that we have to make the Pope and the Church's voice reach as many people as possible.”
“L'Osservatore Romano” was established on July 1, 1861, and this was its first issue. Its historical editions are relics of important events like the Second Vatican Council and the first international trip of any pope in 1964.
Javier Romero
TR: CT
