LUANDA, Angola — The coordinator of the communications commission of the preparatory committee for the planned apostolic visit of Pope Leo XIV to Angola has urged journalists to deepen their understanding of the Catholic Church to ensure accurate and responsible reporting on the upcoming papal trip.
Speaking on March 21 during the Jubilee of Angolan Journalists and Communication Professionals at the Journalists’ Training Center in Luanda, Bishop António Francisco Jaca emphasized that credible coverage of the papal events requires familiarity with the Church’s structure, mission, and foundational texts.
The event, which gathered about 120 journalists, forms part of the preparations for the apostolic visit scheduled for April 18–21.
Jaca encouraged media to consult key ecclesial documents such as the Code of Canon Law, the social doctrine of the Church, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church when covering Church-related matters.
“These documents are not necessarily for continuous reading like a novel but for consultation whenever necessary, enabling journalists to deepen their knowledge and speak more precisely on religious matters,” said Jaca, who leads Angola’s Benguela Diocese and doubles as the president of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe. He is also a member of the Society of the Divine Word.
Jaca said the availability of Church resources on digital platforms has made it easier for journalists to access authoritative information while also increasing their responsibility to verify facts and avoid superficial interpretations.
He warned that insufficient knowledge of ecclesial realities can undermine the quality and credibility of media reporting.
“Understanding the Church is also understanding an important dimension of the lives of many Angolan citizens,” he said.
Reflecting on the ethical responsibilities of journalists, he stressed that communication should promote truth, justice, and social cohesion. Misuse of media, he cautioned, can foster division and even trigger conflict, particularly in a digital environment shaped by social media and artificial intelligence.
“To communicate means to create harmony and promote the common good,” Jaca said, urging journalists to resist misinformation, sensationalism, and hate speech as they cover Church events and public affairs.
The 62-year-old bishop also noted that journalists play a significant role in shaping public perception and must respect human dignity in their work.
“Truth must always be the guiding criterion of journalistic work,” he said, noting that responsible reporting contributes to a more just and balanced society.
The training program at the Journalists’ Training Center is part of the jubilee celebration that began on March 20 with reflections on its spiritual significance and concluded on March 22 with a closing Mass.
Explaining the meaning of the jubilee, Jaca described it as a biblical time of renewal, reconciliation, and restoration, symbolizing a return to justice, freedom, and equality.
He encouraged journalists to use the moment for self-examination and professional growth.
Also addressing participants was the apostolic nuncio in Angola and São Tomé, Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel, who described preparations for the papal visit as a “school of humility,” requiring reflection, adaptability, and continuous learning.
Dubiel noted that organizing such a major event involves complex challenges that demand both professional rigor and civic responsibility, contributing to both personal and collective growth.
Encouraging constructive reporting, the nuncio urged journalists to adopt positive and value-driven language, noting that “to bless Angola essentially means to speak well.”
“Words have power and can either build up or destroy,” he said, calling on media professionals to highlight messages that promote unity, hope, and social development.
Dubiel also emphasized that the way the papal visit is reported will shape collective memory, underscoring the need for responsible, balanced, and mission-oriented coverage.
The Vatican diplomat further encouraged Angolans to use the occasion to strengthen patriotism and commitment to national development, fostering a renewed sense of collective responsibility for the common good.
“The fruits of the visit should be both intellectual and spiritual,” the native of Poland’s Diocese of Przemyśl said, urging a balance between critical thinking and faith, and sustained reflection beyond the event.
This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News.
