Just as with any publication, oftentimes news outlets in different countries focus on different aspects of the same story. Specifically, this can be seen in news articles on Pope Francis. According to Dr. Nardella, who lectured on Pope Francis' Communicative Strategy on Tuesday April 16, Italian publications of the pope focuses more on the pope himself and his attitudes toward others, while American publications focused more on an “analytical” take of the pope, oftentimes including political discussion (personal communication, April 16, 2019). This blog will focus on the Italian publications of the pope, highlighting his call to tenderness, the publications and placements of photos, and his attitude toward hierarchal structures exemplified in said photos.
According to Dr. Nardella, Italian sources are more prone to show the “tender” side of Pope Francis, as well as the “humanity, humbleness, and modesty of the pope” (personal communication, April 16, 2019). This can be seen in many Italian press articles; however, a great example can be seen in an article published by Fabio Beretta over the pope’s gentleness. In this article, the pope is quoted saying, “Tenderness is a word that today risks falling off the dictionary! Tenderness is a properly Christian attitude; it is also the ‘marrow’ of our meeting with suffering people” (Beretta, 2019, p.1). In this example, one can see how Italian media frames the pope: with admiration and kindness. By highlighting his kindness and call for gentle attitudes, the Italian press argues that the pope is one for his people, a pope that calls for others to be more like Christ themselves, to “witness the tenderness of God” (Beretta, 2019, p. 14). This tender personality of the pope is also highlighted in photos released by the Italian press.
Dr. Nardella claimed in his lecture that while American press focused more on crowds waiting to see the pope, Italian sources focused more on the pope himself, with more photos of him alone, or hugging others (personal communication, April 16, 2019). This is again exemplified in the article by Beretta; the photo that heads the entire article is one of Pope Francis embracing a nun as she touches his face – a tender and kind embrace. This photo helps to highlight the meat of the article – one that praises the pope for his attitudes for others, and calls for believers and members of the Catholic congregation to do so, as well. This photo also proves that the pope is one who does not place himself above others. Dr. Nardella maintained in his lecture that the pope is constantly breaking down this “pyramid,” giving the Italian press an opportunity to allow the “viewer to overcome his hierarchic subordination to the pope” (personal communication, April 16, 2019). By allowing the nun to touch his face, the pope exemplifies this argument of social order in this photo.
As one can see, this Italian publication (in the example of others) sincerely favors the pope as a personable role model. Through the highlighted aspects of his tender approach, the placement of photos in publications, and the hierarchal example the pope sets, one can see that the Italian publications truly find the pope “a People’s Pope” (Nardella, personal communication, April 16, 2019).
Beretta, F. (2019, March 18). Papa Francesco: Non Esiste Cristianesimo Senza Tenerezza. Retrieved April 17, 2019, from https://www.ilfaroonline.it/2019/03/18/papa-francesco- non-esiste-cristianesimo-senza-tenerezza/265955/
Nardella, C. (2019, April 16). On Pope Francis' Communicative Strategy. Lecture presented in Italy, Castiglion Fiorentino.
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