By Jude Eze
In the intricate shade of global affairs, few institutions have managed to evoke relentless intrigue and scrutiny like the Catholic Church. Since its inception, the Church has stood as a beacon for millions, yet it has also become a frequent target for suspicion and speculation. Many secular media outlets, fueled by a blend of skepticism and sensationalism, engage in a continuous discourse around the Church and its activities, amplifying conspiracy theories and spreading misinformation.
Most recently, the papacy of Pope Francis, which many could argue has been one of the most transformative in living memory, has faced a barrage of misrepresentation from various media outlets. Despite the Pope’s earnest efforts to address pressing global issues—ranging from environmental crises to social inequality—his teachings often get overshadowed by sensational headlines, largely driven by misunderstanding and misinterpretation.
Take, for example, the controversy that erupted following the release of the documentary “Francesco” at the Rome Film Festival, on Wednesday October 21 2020, during the peak of #EndSARS protests and the subsequent media attention surrounding the #Lekkimassacre in Nigeria. While the documentary shed light on many of the Pope’s core values—such as the importance of family and human rights—the media fixated on his remarks regarding LGBTQ+ rights. The quote from Francis’ remarks that became the focus of the storm was: “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They’re children of God.” Instead of embracing the holistic view presented by the Pope, many news outlets trivialised his message into a sensational soundbite, leading to the erroneous headline, “Pope Francis endorses gay marriage.”
Pope Francis’ teachings on morality that wears human faces (Luke 6:27-38), have been misinterpreted severally by those (including Catholic media practitioners) who want to be more Catholic than him.
This reductive portrayal does a grave disservice to the nuanced approach the Pope takes towards morality and inclusivity. This situation emphasises a fundamental issue in media reporting: the temptation to prioritise audience traffic, monetised clicks and headlines over the substance of the message itself. As a result, Francis has often been portrayed in a light that diverges sharply from his intentions, further confusing a global audience already wary of the Church’s place in modern society.
Moreover, this media frenzy reveals a broader societal tendency to question not just the Church’s activities but also its very leadership. Some Catholics, feeling more emboldened to assert their interpretations of doctrine, have jumped on the bandwagon of criticism. The sheer irony is palpable; these believers, while questioning the Pope’s authority, overlook the core principle that the Pope is not merely an individual but a figure synonymous with the Church he leads. These overzealous critics, failed to understand the difference between when the Pope speaks on personal experiences and insights, and when he speaks “ex cathedra” as the Successor of St. Peter, in which case his words carry a weight that transcends personal beliefs.
While the secular media may revel in portraying the Church as an enigmatic entity riddled with internal contradictions, the reality is often much less dramatic. Amidst all the speculation surrounding Pope Francis, it must be acknowledged that he has faced these challenges with an astonishing grace. His calm demeanor, coupled with his educational qualifications—two separate doctorates in Theology and Physical Sciences—position him as a figure capable of profound insights into both faith and human existence.
Unfortunately, this message of resilience has been drowned out in recent reporting, particularly immediately the 88-year-old Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days and subsequently had pneumonia diagnosed in both lungs. The media rose again with an onslaught “pro-obituary” reportage capable of sending him to the grave earlier than his predestined death date. They wasted no time in speculating about his future, leading to untoward, and often morbid, headlines regarding his health.
First, the timing of Francis’ illness didn’t help the situation. It came when the movie “The Conclave” directed by Edward Berger, which tried to mimic the over 1,500 years old Catholic ritual of electing new Popes is hitting media limelight, in their penchant to put the Mother Church in bad light again. The antics of the movie was embraced by all the secular media and has been promoting it for Oscar Awards when Francis caught bacteria in both lungs.
Ordinarily, these pressmen are supposed to take information from the Vatican apostolic news outlets like Catholic News Agency (CNA), which authoritatively reported: “Pope Francis’s condition, not life threatening, medical team says.” They neglected those ones and chose to manufacture theirs, as it suits the demands of their pockets. “The next successor of Pope Francis contemplated by Vatican hierarchy” was their choice of headlines after seven days of hospitalisation. They are already hastening his death so as to compare what happens in the pre-Conlcave, Conclave and post-Conclave stages of papal election to the profane movie by Berger.
Some characterised this as an ominous “pre-requiem” announcement, eager to fan the flames of speculation regarding the next papal conclave, as if accelerating an inevitable tragedy.
At a time when compassion should be paramount, many in the media chose instead to pursue a fad. Instead of treating his condition with the gravity and respect it deserved, media outlets consistently circulated fear-laden commentary about potential successors while he is still alive.
This situation raises an important point: shouldn’t human empathy and sensibility take precedence over trendy headlines? In striving to capture the attention of audiences through whatever means necessary, has the media relinquished its moral responsibility to treat matters of life and death with the seriousness they warrant?
As Francis himself has often articulated, “We are all part of the same humanity.” It seems fitting to extend this perspective to the way we interact with one another—both on an interpersonal level and within broader frameworks like the media. Rather than indulging in narratives that sensationalise the decline of an aging Leader, we should collectively choose a path of mindfulness, one that seeks to uplift the dialogue around our shared human experience instead of diminishing it.
Amidst the frenzy, let us remember the words of the Pope, who has championed the notion of inclusivity and compassion. “You can’t kick someone out of a family nor make their life miserable because of this.” If we opt to embody his message in our interactions—be they with the Church or within the media—we stand a greater chance of fostering understanding and empathy.
It astonishes normal minds that the same journalists who stuck to empathy, lacing their news with “Long live the Queen” some years ago, while Queen Elizabeth II fall in and out of hospital in the evening of her life, could not re-echo the “Viva il Papa” (Long live the Pope) heard across St. Peters Square, for Francis.
In an age rife with misinformation and misinterpretation, it is ultimately our responsibility as consumers of media to critically evaluate what we read. As we navigate the labyrinth of headlines and news cycles, let us actively seek the truth while exercising compassion and restraint.
In conclusion, while the media is entitled to its scrutiny, it should act with conscience and respect for human life. Let the Pope carry out his mission with dignity, and only after he has fulfilled his purpose should evaluations of his legacy emerge. Instead of wishing for his downfall, let us celebrate the life and lessons he continues to impart, even from the sickbed. In the end, wouldn’t it be more fitting for us to wish the Pope strength and longevity rather than swift speculation about his demise? The true measure of our society should be seen in how we treat its most vulnerable, including those who serve us from the highest echelons of leadership.
Viva il Papa!
Jude Eze can be reached via ezejudeogechi@gmail.com
