Global Jubilee Conference: Alive with the spirit of Pentecost

Behind the scenes of Vatican Media

For years, I had dreamed of seeing St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, and they did not disappoint. Their beauty is breathtaking! But if I'm being honest, my absolute favorite visit was to Vatican Media. As a translator, having a behind-the-scenes look at how the Vatican communicates with the world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Vatican Media, managed by the Dicastery of Communications, oversees several branches: Vatican News (the primary news platform); L'Osservatore Romano (the Vatican's daily newspaper); Vatican Radio, Vatican Television Center and Vatican Publishing House.

Touring the Vatican Media offices, I was struck by the dedication to accurate communication. Vatican Media publishes in 53 languages, and I was amazed to see the rows of offices where translators work to bring the Vatican's messages to the world. For me, this was like visiting Disneyland — only with a lot more dictionaries. 

A window into history via Vatican Radio

Another powerful moment was the visit to Vatican Radio Museum where we learned how the Vatican has adapted to new technologies, from print media to digital platforms. Vatican Radio was founded in 1931 by Guglielmo Marconi at the request of Pope Pius XI. The museum displays historic broadcasting equipment, original recordings of significant speeches (including those of various popes), and demonstrations of technological advancements.

During World War II, Vatican Radio became a lifeline for families searching for missing loved ones. At Pope Pius XII's request, the station collected names of prisoners of war, refugees and displaced persons and broadcast them in multiple languages. Families listening across Europe and beyond could hear if their loved ones' names were mentioned, offering people a chance to reconnect during the chaos of war. This humanitarian effort became a lifeline at a time when communication was nearly impossible, especially for those in prison camps or occupied territories. By using radio waves to bridge distances, Vatican Radio helped reunite thousands of families and reinforced the Catholic Church's mission of compassion and aid during the war.

Transformative discussions

On the second day, we attended powerful presentations at the Vatican Apostolic Library. Various panels and discussions explored themes, including the following:

• "Sisters Communicating Communion with the Marginalized"
• "The importance of connection and communications"
• "Participatory storytelling"
• "Shifting narratives and storytelling"
• "The future of communication in 'traditional' media formats"
• "Communicating Communion in the world of AI"
• "Transforming social media in spaces of communion." 

The stories shared by the presenters were incredibly moving, particularly in their demonstration of how sharing real-life anecdotes with the media is vital to helping those they minister. Missionary of Jesus Sr. Norma Pimentel, director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, spoke about a six-year-old girl whose legs were severed by "The Beast," the freight train used by migrants trying to reach the U.S. Sacred Heart of Jesus Sr. Rosemary Nyirumbe, director of St. Monica's Centre in Uganda, shared heartbreaking stories of girls rescued from the Lord's Resistance Army. Maryknoll Sr. Abby Avelino of Talitha Kum recounted the trauma an eight-year-old girl faced when she was sexually exploited by her aunt.

Many presenters shared powerful testimonies of their work with victims of violence, trafficking and poverty in places like Uganda, the Philippines and the U.S.-Mexico border. By communicating these stories with media, sisters said, they're able to put a human face to an issue that otherwise might remain a statistic or distant problem to those who follow the news.

Sr. Lismy Parayil, a member of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel, highlighted the role of film in addressing cultural and social issues while offering messages of faith and hope. A common theme among all the presenters was the need to communicate hope through our ministries — something consistent with this year's Jubilee theme.

We engaged in Conversations in the Spirit, learning about each other's realities. One key takeaway from this conference was that the stories we tell do not belong to us; we simply help to amplify the voices of the people we serve.

A papal audience

On Saturday, Jan. 25, we had the opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors of St. Peter's Basilica and then attend a private audience with the Holy Father at the Paul VI Audience Hall. The audience included many communicators from around the world, including young people.

The audience started early, and Pope Francis' presence filled the auditorium. His warm, genuinely happy smile radiated throughout the room. During the audience, he urged us all in the communication field to promote a type of communication that can heal the wounds of humanity, one that nurtures by making room for a "heartfelt trust that, like a slender but resistant flower, does not succumb to the ravages of life, but blossoms and grows in the most unexpected places."

He spoke of this trust being present in the prayers of mothers who long for their children's safe return from war, and in the dreams of fathers who risk it all to build a better future in a different country. The people sisters serve.

In a time when people do not always trust the media — or even the clergy — nuns still have credibility and the trust of those they serve. This is a tremendous responsibility.

Our role as communicators within the church is not just about reporting facts; it is about being witnesses of hope, sharing the stories of those on the margins, and ensuring that their voices are heard.

The opportunity to attend the Jubilee was truly amazing. The spirit of Pentecost was alive throughout the conference. Just as in that first Pentecost, where people from different nations understood the message in their own languages, we, too, found unity in our diversity.  

I learned a bit about photography from the fabulous Parayil, learned about school systems in Poland, and trafficking realities in Brazil, among many other things. And, of course, I enjoyed real Italian pizza and good wine.

Despite coming from different cultures, languages and backgrounds, we shared a common mission: to bring hope to the world through communication.

It was an experience I will treasure forever.