– Gina Christian, Atlantic City, NJ (OSV News)
A few days ago, a roundtable discussion was held on the topic “Communicating Pope Leo XIV’s Vision: Truth, Technology, and Evangelization,» as part of the 2026 Catholic Media Conference, held June 16–19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey (United States).
The conference on June 18 was organized by the Catholic Media Association, based in Chicago, which promotes the development and networking of Catholic media professionals throughout North America and abroad.
Among the panelists were Paolo Ruffini, who served as prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication until November; Carol Glatz, editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service in Rome; and Augustinian Father Arthur Purcaro, associate vice president for mission and ministry at Villanova University and a longtime friend of the Pope.
The debate was moderated by Kerry Weber, executive editor of America Media and president of the Catholic Media Association.
Sharing and Receiving
Glatz stated that, for Pope Leo XIV, “communication is about communion, about ‘being with,’” which is “an ontological necessity for a more complete understanding of the truth.”.
That truth is not accessible «without others,» but rather requires “a shared dialogue,” he added.
From Pope Leo’s perspective, Glatz said, “It’s also about what we’re creating. Who are we becoming through our words and our tools? Who are we helping others become through what we share and what we receive?”.
Memories of young Prevost eating with his mother and siblings
Father Purcaro recounted that Pope Leo—formerly Robert Prevost—had shared memories with him of when he was sitting at the table with his two brothers, while his mother warned them, “If you want to eat, you have to get along.”.
After noting that “there are There is very little about Louis XIV that I do not mention to St. Augustine”, Father Purcaro stated that the patron saint of his Order strove to “build community.”.
He described the Pope's vision of communication, based on the idea of «conversation» and the importance of "seeking together" to understand the truth.
Building a community is “a test, a process,” as well as “a moving picture,” said Father Purcaro.
“It’s a shared search for the truth, around the family table,” he said.
“Communion is in our DNA”
Weber reinforced that image, saying that «unity leads to sustenance.”.
Father Purcaro added that this perspective is “difficult for us to understand in our highly polarized culture.”.
But “communion is in our DNA,” he emphasized.
Pope Leo XIV believes that communication is a means of “discovering God in ourselves and in others,” he said.
Ruffini emphasized that “what we see in Pope Leo and in the way he communicates with the world is something that comes from the innermost part of who he was before becoming Pope… something spiritual, something true.”.
“He’s not acting,” Ruffini said.
He also pointed out that, while many in society—including leaders—choose to “hide behind a mask” out of fear when communicating, Pope Leo “is not communicating himself, but something transcendent”—that is, Jesus.
“We can learn from this,” said Ruffini.
Open and Authentic Communication
Kerry Weber described the Pope's communication style as “very open and authentic.”.
After stating that he had known Bob (Pope Leo) for more than 40 years, Father Purcaro explained that Pope Leo’s serene and composed demeanor, as well as his habit of listening attentively to others, were shaped during his Augustinian ministry around the world, especially in Peru.
Father Purcaro said that those years of “building community” and enjoying the “privilege of being able to help people recognize what is good” came amid numerous challenges.
The Conflict with Shining Path
Among them was the conflict in Peru between 1980 and 1992 with the Maoist guerrilla group Shining Path, which left some 70,000 dead. The Augustinians “refused to abandon” those they served in Peru, said Father Purcaro, who, like the future pope, spent several years on mission in South America.
‘This is the right time for Pope Leo’
Ruffini, who will be succeeded in November by Montse Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, also highlighted Pope Leo’s concern for the common good, which has been threatened in an increasingly fragmented world.
Pope Leo, who “learned and continues to live as an Augustinian,” now “shares, as Pope,” the understanding that “everything is a gift, given to all” and meant to be shared, said Father Purcaro.
His fellow panelists agreed.
“This is the right moment for Pope Leo,” said Ruffini.
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Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
This information was originally published in English, and you can view it here
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