Moments later, Pope Francis rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair. Then, in a surprising, but not completely out of character move, he handed his prepared remarks to an aide and decided to speak from the heart. He said he preferred to provide personal comments and would be brief since it was close to lunchtime, and many would be hungry.

He started off with wonderful encouragement. “Your work is one that builds up society and the Church and brings everyone forward, as long as it’s true,” said the Holy Father in Italian. (I was able to understand because of a live translation service via the Vatican’s Vox app. Pilgrims were instructed to download this app to listen to speeches in the language of their choice.)

He emphasized the need for truth because the Holy Father is concerned about false articles, videos, and social media posts that are spreading globally to divide, manipulate, and even control. (This article provides a good summary of his concerns.)

Then, Pope Francis acknowledged that Catholic communicators might say to themselves, “I don’t share what is not true.” That was precisely my reaction. I check my facts and my sources because I care about providing accurate information.

Then came the question that pierced my soul. 

“But are you true? Are you real?” the Holy Father asked me and the pilgrims like me.

He challenged me, like fathers often do. He reminded me that as communicators, we are not only messengers, but we are the message. 

You might have heard that famous phrase coined by Canadian media professor, Marshall McLuhan: The medium is the message. It’s a catchy way to explain that the form of a message (print, visual, musical, etc.) determines how a message will be perceived.

So, the pope’s question is really a call to action. To share the Gospel and communicate the faith honestly, we must live the Gospel and humbly admit when we fall short. 

Am I true to the message of Christ? Am I the real image of a Disciple? I miss the mark more times than I can count. But like the Apostles chosen by Christ, flawed and fickle, I have hope because Jesus is my strength to persevere. I know, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12).

I am humbled to have been in the same room with Pope Francis. I am humbled to have represented the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and Bishop Gregory Parkes as a Catholic communicator. In my role, I share words from the Word of God even though I am an unworthy messenger. My prayer is that God’s grace will make up for my shortcomings so that the message I communicate can still be received.

To read the pope’s message for communicators for 2025, with the theme, “Share with Gentleness the Hope that is in Your Hearts,” click here.