Benedict XVI:
Truth wins over image
even mediatically
Oct. 14, 2010
Almost 250,000 persons in Palermo, more than 600,000 young people now registered for World Youth Day in 2011, 30,000 at the last general audience in September when only 9000 had asked for tickets, teh celebratory crowds in the United Kingdom, millions of copies sold of his books (3 million of his book on Jesus, with a second volume coming out)... And the list could go on....
Of course, to measure the popularity of a Pope is always a futile activity, but still it must be admitted: Going by the numbers, as the experts would say, Benedict XVI 'sells'. This is not to defend him in any way, but a journalistically honest consideration of the fact that it is high time to let go of the cliche of the Pope who is 'not mediatic compared to his predecessor'.
Benedict XVI is reaching the people, in a media scenario which is more complicated than that in John Paul II's time. This shows that 'mediaticity', an idea which is very much in vogue, has nothing to do with popularity.
Papa Wojtyla himself, it must be acknowledged, 'sold' not only because of his brilliant presence but because he was a genuine Christian, and the people felt it.
Benedict XVI, with a different style, with a different character and in a different historical moment, is succeeding in the same way. Substance imposes itself over appearances in the thirst for truth in this world.
"Truth, announcement and authenticity in the digital era' is the theme chosen by the Pope for the next World Day of Social Communications. Every Christian should meditate on it. As well as many mass media, considering their constant loss of customers these days.