Among the panelists were Paolo Ruffini, who served as prefect of the Vatican\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The debate was moderated by Kerry Weber, executive editor of America Media and president of the Catholic Media Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sharing and Receiving<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGlatz stated that, for Pope Leo XIV, \u201ccommunication is about communion, about \u2018being with,\u2019\u201d which is \u201can ontological necessity for a more complete understanding of the truth.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That truth is not accessible \u00abwithout others,\u00bb but rather requires \u201ca shared dialogue,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Pope Leo\u2019s perspective, Glatz said, \u201cIt\u2019s also about what we\u2019re 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?\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Memories of young Prevost eating with his mother and siblings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFather Purcaro recounted that Pope Leo\u2014formerly Robert Prevost\u2014had shared memories with him of when he was sitting at the table with his two brothers, while his mother warned them, \u201cIf you want to eat, you have to get along.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After noting that \u201cthere are There is very little about Louis XIV that I do not mention <\/a>to St. Augustine<\/a>\u201d, Father Purcaro stated that the patron saint of his Order strove to \u201cbuild community.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHe described the Pope's vision of communication, based on the idea of \u00abconversation\u00bb and the importance of \"seeking together\" to understand the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building a community is \u201ca test, a process,\u201d as well as \u201ca moving picture,\u201d said Father Purcaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a shared search for the truth, around the family table,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.omnesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PapaCanarias-1024x669.jpg\")
Pope Leo XIV speaks during a meeting with organizations that work with migrants at the port of Arguinegu\u00edn, during his visit to the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, on June 11, 2026, as part of his apostolic trip to Spain from June 6 to 12. (Photo: OSV News\/Borja Su\u00e1rez, Reuters).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cCommunion is in our DNA\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWeber reinforced that image, saying that \u00abunity leads to sustenance.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father Purcaro added that this perspective is \u201cdifficult for us to understand in our highly polarized culture.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But \u201ccommunion is in our DNA,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pope Leo XIV believes that communication is a means of \u201cdiscovering God in ourselves and in others,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruffini emphasized that \u201cwhat 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\u2026 something spiritual, something true.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not acting,\u201d Ruffini said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also pointed out that, while many in society\u2014including leaders\u2014choose to \u201chide behind a mask\u201d out of fear when communicating, Pope Leo \u201cis not communicating himself, but something transcendent\u201d\u2014that is, Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe can learn from this,\u201d said Ruffini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.omnesmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PapaAngelus-1024x682.jpg\")
Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer from a window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on May 3, 2026. (Photo by OSV News\/Mario Tomassetti, Vatican Media\/Distributed via Reuters).
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen and Authentic Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nKerry Weber described the Pope's communication style as \u201cvery open and authentic.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After stating that he had known Bob (Pope Leo) for more than 40 years, Father Purcaro explained that Pope Leo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father Purcaro said that those years of \u201cbuilding community\u201d and enjoying the \u201cprivilege of being able to help people recognize what is good\u201d came amid numerous challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Conflict with Shining Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAmong 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 \u201crefused to abandon\u201d those they served in Peru, said Father Purcaro, who, like the future pope, spent several years on mission in South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018This is the right time for Pope Leo\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nRuffini, who will be succeeded in November by Montse Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, also highlighted Pope Leo\u2019s concern for the common good, which has been threatened in an increasingly fragmented world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pope Leo, who \u201clearned and continues to live as an Augustinian,\u201d now \u201cshares, as Pope,\u201d the understanding that \u201ceverything is a gift, given to all\u201d and meant to be shared, said Father Purcaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His fellow panelists agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the right moment for Pope Leo,\u201d said Ruffini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Father Purcaro recounted that Pope Leo\u2014formerly Robert Prevost\u2014had shared memories with him of when he was sitting at the table with his two brothers, while his mother warned them, \u201cIf you want to eat, you have to get along.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After noting that \u201cthere are There is very little about Louis XIV that I do not mention <\/a>to St. Augustine<\/a>\u201d, Father Purcaro stated that the patron saint of his Order strove to \u201cbuild community.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He described the Pope's vision of communication, based on the idea of \u00abconversation\u00bb and the importance of \"seeking together\" to understand the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Building a community is \u201ca test, a process,\u201d as well as \u201ca moving picture,\u201d said Father Purcaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a shared search for the truth, around the family table,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weber reinforced that image, saying that \u00abunity leads to sustenance.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Father Purcaro added that this perspective is \u201cdifficult for us to understand in our highly polarized culture.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But \u201ccommunion is in our DNA,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pope Leo XIV believes that communication is a means of \u201cdiscovering God in ourselves and in others,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruffini emphasized that \u201cwhat 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\u2026 something spiritual, something true.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s not acting,\u201d Ruffini said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He also pointed out that, while many in society\u2014including leaders\u2014choose to \u201chide behind a mask\u201d out of fear when communicating, Pope Leo \u201cis not communicating himself, but something transcendent\u201d\u2014that is, Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can learn from this,\u201d said Ruffini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kerry Weber described the Pope's communication style as \u201cvery open and authentic.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After stating that he had known Bob (Pope Leo) for more than 40 years, Father Purcaro explained that Pope Leo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Father Purcaro said that those years of \u201cbuilding community\u201d and enjoying the \u201cprivilege of being able to help people recognize what is good\u201d came amid numerous challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u201crefused to abandon\u201d those they served in Peru, said Father Purcaro, who, like the future pope, spent several years on mission in South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruffini, who will be succeeded in November by Montse Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, also highlighted Pope Leo\u2019s concern for the common good, which has been threatened in an increasingly fragmented world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pope Leo, who \u201clearned and continues to live as an Augustinian,\u201d now \u201cshares, as Pope,\u201d the understanding that \u201ceverything is a gift, given to all\u201d and meant to be shared, said Father Purcaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His fellow panelists agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the right moment for Pope Leo,\u201d said Ruffini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cCommunion is in our DNA\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen and Authentic Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Conflict with Shining Path<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018This is the right time for Pope Leo\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n