The media and the Church have had a close relationship throughout the papacy of Francis. As a pope with an informal and relatable approach to the public, Pope Francis has developed a friendship of sorts with the journalists that regularly cover his appearances. While these relationships may shield him from hard and unpredicted questions, they do not necessarily prevent criticism from all fronts. The media does a fair job at remaining unbiased in reporting the going-ons of the Pope and the Catholic Church in the current age while continuing to give a voice to the critics as well as the Vatican’s perspective on religious controversy.
It is widely recognized that Pope Francis is the “People’s Pope”, and that is largely in part to his frequent correspondence with the media. Dr. Carlo Nardella of the University of Milan lectures that, “Pope Francis is very savvy of knowing how the media works,” and this ability to work the media contributes to his friendly persona created for the public eye. While the relatable side of Francis is often on display, the news does not ignore the criticism that may fall on the papacy, especially in a day where every action is recorded. In a March meeting with the public faithful, Francis was documented to have pulled his hand and papal ring away from those attempting to kiss them out of respect. British newspaper The Independent refers to the critics’ view of Francis’s “’graceless’ disrespect for the tradition and those who wanted to honour it,” in an article written by Chiara Giordano. The Pope and the Church are never able to escape public eye, and any attempt otherwise are subject to scrutiny just as much as a media mishap or beloved sign of faith.
The media and the Church hold a close and necessary relationship to provide a clear image of the Catholic faith and the happenings of the Pope. While a friendship may develop between the two parties that can benefit Pope Francis and his future successors, it does not create a biased platform blinded by the authority of the Church.
Giordano Arti