The Vatican has dedicated the journalists' work area inside the press office to Joaquín Navarro-Valls. For 22 years, he was the spokesman for John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
It was in this room, where a presentation on the book “El Portavoz”, 'The Spokesman,' took place. The book is a compilation of 20 peoples memories of impactful moments of Navarro-Valls' life.
ALESSANDRO GISSOTI
Vatican Spokesman
'It's an event to say that, even through Joaquín Navarro-Valls, communication counts. It must continue to count more in the Church and in the Holy See.'
The event included testimonies of the former Vatican spokesman's work and countless memories from those years. His brother, who collected the book's 20 testimonies, recalled an interesting personal dialogue with John Paul II and his secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz.
RAFAEL NAVARRO-VALLS
Coordinator 'The Spokesman'
'He said, 'Let's do a test, Your Holiness. Joaquin will go to teach Law at the University of Madrid, and his brother Rafael will be the spokesman. I got scared and said, 'No, Your Holiness. This is a dangerous place where anything can happen.' Everyone knows that in 22 years, and with two popes, everything happened to Joaquín here.'
VALENTINA ALAZRAKI
Correspondent of Televisa (Mexico)
'The great intuition he had was, and he must have been clear with the pope, to say a direct report with the pope was essential. Only in this way could he be properly informed. Quickly, without barriers, without having to take too many steps or deal with delays.'
FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Former Vatican Spokesman
“I have always considered him a man of faith. I saw him on the trips, which were moments of hard work at the service of the pope.'
'I remember we woke up very early, at night, to pray calmly. It was a sleepy, but sincere prayer. There was Joaquin and there were other members of the Masters of Ceremonies.'
'I admired his sincere religiousness, his spirituality. He would take out the book 'The Way,' from Escrivá, and meditate.'
FR. CIRO BENEDITTINI
Former Vatican Vice-speaker
'It was hard. With him you had to work. Yet, he had the ability to make us feel important. Because of that, we worked with enthusiasm. He made us understand we were working for a greater cause and we felt important.'
Throughout the book, the memories underline the profile of a great communicator. He lived journalism and communication as a service to both popes and society, in easy and difficult moments. His name is linked to the persona of the spokesman, and now also to the press room.
