Pope Francis has invited the journalists of La Civiltà Cattolica to “row with passion and determination in the barque of Peter, like good Jesuits. Row with your pen, dialoguing with everyone, pointing toward the open sea.”
The Pope’s remarks come in a letter to the writers and collaborators of La Civiltà Cattolica as the journal expands publication of its Spanish edition. “Your review is one of a kind in its genre,” Pope Francis said. “More than a review, it is a true spiritual, communitarian, and intellectual experience.”
The Jesuit-run periodical began a “path of internationalization” in 2017, and is currently published in eight languages: Italian, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
“Speaking in Spanish, the journal will now increase the number of its readers and will open itself to new challenges,” the Pope wrote in his letter.
He calls on the Jesuits of La Civiltà Cattolica to “seek God where He may be found, especially in those who hunger and thirst for that truth that is translated into works of justice and mercy.”
Offering them his best wishes on their new endeavour, the Holy Father concluded his letter with a message: “Especially in this time of crisis, with your reflection, you make available to the whole of humanity the Gospel of the Kingdom of God as a resource for salvation in our time.
La Civiltà Cattolica will publish its new Spanish edition from its headquarters at the Villa Malta in Rome, in an exclusively digital format. The contents will be organised thematically, and will be published in full without a paywall, with funding provided entirely from donations.
