Pope encourages Catholic News Service to foster dialogue, honest communication

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis conversed informally with journalists from Catholic News Service, during an audience marking the one hundredth anniversary of the news agency’s establishment by the Bishops of the United States.

In prepared remarks, which were not delivered viva voce but distributed to those present, Pope Francis said, “Over these past hundred years, Catholic News Service has provided an invaluable contribution to the English-speaking world through its coverage of the Church’s mission proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.”

“Fair, faithful, informed”

Pope Francis noted that “in a world when news can be easily manipulated and misinformation spread,” CNS strives to live up to their motto by “making the truth known in a way that is… ‘fair, faithful, and informed’.”

He encouraged CNS “to continue fostering dialogue and honest communication between individuals and communities,” saying that in today’s world “we need media that can help people, especially the young, to distinguish good from evil, to develop sound judgments based on a clear and unbiased presentation of the facts, and to appreciate the importance of working for justice, social concord and respect for our common home.”

The Holy Father concluded his remarks, with the prayer that “the spirit of communion with the Bishop of Rome, which has always been a hallmark of Catholic News Service,” might “continue to guide your efforts to serve the truth with humility and responsibility.”