Dr. Paolo Ruffini Honored with 2025 Pauline Communication and Culture Award

Vatican City, May 27, 2025 — In a momentous event at Rome’s LUMSA University, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, was awarded the 2025 Pauline Communication and Culture Award for his enduring commitment to Gospel-rooted media practices. The award ceremony was part of a broader conference exploring the ethical responsibilities of journalism in the digital age, inspired by the late Pope Francis’ message for the 59th World Communications Day.

Held under the theme, “Pope Francis: ‘Share with meekness the hope that is in your hearts,’” the conference sought to connect the papal magisterium on communication with journalistic ethics. Organized by the regional Journalists’ Association, the Union of Italian Catholic Press (UCSI) of Lazio, and the WebCatholics of Italy (WeCa)—whose presidents Maurizio di Schino and Fabio Bolzetta co-moderated—the event also marked the awarding of the 2025 Pauline Award.

Rethinking journalism in light of the Pope’s message

Speakers opened the conference by examining the ethical challenges that new media pose to news reporting, and then showcased how fidelity to the Gospel can guide the profession

Sister Paola Fosson, President of the Pauline Communication and Culture Association (Odv), presented the award to Dr. Ruffini, lauding his “inclusive, dialogical style” and unwavering “fidelity to the evangelical message.” His leadership, she noted, embodies the Gospel’s call for communication that builds bridges rather than barriers.

The conference addressed the mounting ethical challenges posed by social media and misinformation. Speakers urged a rethinking of journalistic practices, emphasizing truthfulness, empathy, and the rejection of sensationalism.

At the heart of the conference lay Pope Francis’s call to “disarm communication” and cleanse it of aggression.

Fr. Paolo Padrini of WeCa highlighted the need for gentleness in the language used while reporting. He also said that this must be paired with rigorous fact-checking and a genuine commitment to truth.

Fr. Stefano Cascio, Deputy Director of the Diocese of Rome’s Office for Social Communications, explained that journalism is “not only the transmission of information but the creation of human and digital cultures and spaces for dialogue and encounter.”

Sr. Rose Pacatte of the Daughters of St. Paul reinforced the importance of hope in storytelling.

Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of the Dicastery for Communication, tackled the scourge of fake news, citing recent manipulated videos that spread rapidly online.

Quoting Pope Francis’ message, he urged journalists to place “personal and collective responsibility toward others at the center of communication,” resisting personal agendas to serve the authentic transmission of reality—especially when social media can so easily mislead and distract.

The role of professional ethics took center stage in the closing discussions. Leaders from the Journalists’ Association, including Carlo Bartoli, Guido D’Ubaldo, and Roberta Feliziani, stressed that ethical journalism must be a lived experience—fueled by compassion, respect, and responsibility.

In this way, gentleness can manifest as attentive listening, prudent judgment, respect for persons, and storytelling free of sensationalism.

The conference concluded with interventions by Sergio Talamo, Communications Director of Formez, and Paolo Valente, Deputy Director of Caritas Italy.

By Eugenio Murrali

Courtesy: Vatican News