Fr. Łukasz Bankowski – Vatican
When Joaquín Navarro-Valls took over the Holy See Press Office in 1984, he made history as the first layperson and the first professional journalist in that position. The Spanish psychiatrist, previously associated with the foreign correspondents’ community in Rome, quickly gained the trust of St. John Paul II.
For 22 years, he accompanied the Pope on almost all apostolic journeys, prepared meetings with journalists, and conveyed information to the world about the life and teaching of the Successor of Peter. For many reporters, he became the face of Vatican communication and one of the most recognizable press spokespersons in the world.
Close Collaborator of John Paul II
Navarro-Valls’ relationship with John Paul II went beyond professional duties. Thanks to regular meetings with the Pope, he was well acquainted with his way of thinking, priorities, and communication style. He was able to translate papal teaching into language understandable to the media, without losing its spiritual depth.
The illness of John Paul II was a particularly difficult period. During his hospitalization and the progressive deterioration of his health, Navarro-Valls was the main source of information for the world media. He strived to maintain a balance between the public’s right to information and the protection of the dignity and privacy of the ailing Holy Father.
New Style of Holy See Communication
Joaquín Navarro-Valls played a key role in modernizing Vatican communication. He maintained close relations with media representatives, organized regular briefings, and ensured greater transparency in the Holy See’s message. Thanks to his journalistic experience, the Press Office began to operate according to standards appropriate for contemporary media, while maintaining the specific nature of the Church’s mission.
After the death of St. John Paul II, he remained in office for the first year of Benedict XVI’s pontificate. He concluded his role as director of the Holy See Press Office in 2006, closing more than two decades of service alongside two popes.
Legacy of Service
Joaquín Navarro-Valls died on July 5, 2017, in Rome at the age of 80. He left behind not only the memory of an outstanding press spokesman but also a man who understood that the Church’s communication is primarily a service to the truth.
For many, he remains one of the most important witnesses of the pontificate of St. John Paul II – a man who for years helped the world better understand the Polish Pope and his message, making dialogue with the media an integral part of the Church’s mission.
