Pope Francis has been selected as the recipient of a prestigous award—but not in what one might expect. It is an award in journalism.
The prize, called “E' Giornalismo,” is known as the Italian Pulitzer. Each year it is awarded to someone who leads the field of journalism in its contribution to justice and the service of truth.
POPE FRANCIS You should know that even before I became Bishop of Rome, I used to decline the offer of awards. I never received any, I did not want to. And I continued to do so even as Pope. There is, however, one reason that prompted me to accept yours, and that is the urgency of constructive communication, which fosters a culture of encounter and not confrontation.
Pope Francis used his address to the representatives of “E’ Giornalismo” to emphasize the four sins of journalism.
POPE FRANCIS Misinformation—when a journalist does not inform but misinforms; slander (sometimes they use this); libel, which is different from slander but still destroys; and the fourth is coprophilia, which is the love of scandal, of filth, of selling scandal.
The promoters of the prize said selecting Pope Francis as the recipient is an “unprecedented choice” in its history, but that the Pope's mission fits perfectly into the purpose of the award.
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