I’ll be on the papal plane. Now what?

Joe Torres

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I’ll be on the papal plane. Now what?
It's not easy. First, my Italian is limited to some words I've read on a menu in a restaurant in Cubao. Second, I hardly passed my Latin and Spanish subjects.

Now it’s out. I will be one of 14 Filipino journalists who will be on the plane with Pope Francis during his trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and back to Rome, next month.

The opportunity is “one of the great Christmas gifts” to Filipinos this year, said Bishop Mylo Vergara, head of the media committee for the papal visit to the Philippines.

Indeed it’s exciting, and a rare opportunity for Asian journalists, and a lot of work. 

It’s not easy. First, my Italian is limited to some words I’ve read on a menu in a restaurant in Cubao. Second, I hardly passed my Latin and Spanish subjects during my seminary days.   

Covering this rare occasion is a challenge, especially after Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle criticized the “Western-dominated international media” that covered the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome.

The good cardinal described the media coverage of the synod as “fair,” although he expressed dismay at the “agenda” of journalists who only focused on issues that were of interest to the West.

He also criticized the penchant of the media to label those who attended the synod. 

“Labeling people as progressive, as conservative, as traditionalist, may hinder fully listening to them,” said Cardinal Tagle.

He also said that “there was not a single Asian journalist among the hundreds and hundreds of international journalists” in the synod. 

“Who will report on the concerns of Asia? Who will report on the voice of Asia?”

Is it I (us), Lord, este, cardinal?

How does one cover a Pope like Pope Francis? How does one report on the concerns/voice of Asia?

That is the challenge, my friends, not how I could carry sacks of rosaries that you, dear colleagues, relatives, and  Facebook friends want the Pope to bless.

(Can you imagine me carrying bags of rosary beads to the plane, opening it up in front of Pope Francis to bless if, by any chance, he stops by my seat?)

And by the way, thanks for all the “congratulations,” but I prefer “good luck.” – Rappler.com

Joe Torres is the national correspondent of the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) in the Philippines. UCAN, the leading independent Catholic news source in Asia, is Rappler’s partner in covering the Pope’s Philippine trip in January.

Follow Joe’s blogs about his trip with the Pope, along with 13 other Filipino journalists, from Vatican City to Sri Lanka to the Philippines.

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