Rome, Italy:The Jubilee of the World of Communication took place from January 24-26 in Rome, bringing together journalists and communicators from around the world, despite their diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
The event saw thousands of pilgrims in attendance, with over 100 young journalists and communicators participating in the Initiative for Young Communicators. Among them were Ms. Jessica Oata and Ahisha Mangot, representing the young communicators of the Church of PNGSI. The guiding theme of the event was “Uniting Communicators for a Shared Journey.”
Rooted in communal activities and reflections, the initiative aimed to cultivate a sense of belonging and encourage a lasting vocation grounded in shared values of hope. The three-day program focused on four key themes: Vocation, Impact, Narratives, and Community, serving as a framework for personal reflection and professional development.
The program featured storytelling sessions, interactive activities, and keynote addresses by prominent figures in journalism and communication.
On Friday, January 24, the Jubilee team organized a penitential liturgy and an International Mass in honor of the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists at the St John Lateran Basilica.
The following day, January 25, pilgrims from around the world, including the young communicators, visited the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. This was followed by a cultural event titled In Dialogue with Maria Ressa, a veteran Filipino journalist and activist, and Colum McCann, best-selling author and founder of the non-profit organization Narrative 4.
In the evening, young communicators attended a panel discussion with influential media professionals such as Eli Pariser (New Public), Paterno Esmaquel II (Rappler), and Chris Walter (On Our Radar). The discussion was highly interactive, with many young participants engaging in the Q&A session. This event was held at St. Pius X Hall, Via dell'Ospedale 1.
On January 26, the young communicators attended the Holy Mass on the Sunday of the Word of God at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by the Holy Father. In the evening, Colum McCann delivered a talk on storytelling through Narrative 4, a global non-profit that uses storytelling and the arts to build empathy, connection, and compassion among young people. The session also included a story exchange activity to foster these values.
The program concluded with a dinner, where young communicators were joined by Professor Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, who offered words of encouragement and support.
This initiative is an example of a Synodal Church in action. Many participants noted that the involvement of the Vatican and the Dicastery for Communication in making this event possible demonstrated the Church’s commitment to walking together, fostering dialogue, and sharing a common mission.
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