Pope Francis made two groundbreaking appointments to the Vatican press office on Monday.
His choice as deputy director of the press office was typical Francis. Paloma García Ovejero, a Spanish ex-journalist, is the first woman to hold the position.
The Pope has wisely chosen someone who shares his mother tongue to communicate his message to the millions of Spanish-speaking Catholics who make up such a large segment of the Church.
But some spectators will be scratching their heads at Francis’s choice for chief Vatican spokesman, following Fr Federico Lombardi’s departure from the role in a few weeks’ time. As the Daily Mail reported: “A former Fox News reporter and member of a controversial Catholic order [sic] has been named Pope Francis’s official spokesman. Greg Burke, a member of the conservative Catholic group Opus Dei, previously worked for the TV network and Time magazine as a Rome-based correspondent.”
On first reading, some Catholics could be forgiven for reacting with incredulity. Opus Dei? Fox News? Has Francis just promoted the Vatican equivalent of Karl Rove?
Actually the consensus is that the Pope has made a shrewd move. Well-groomed, affable and humorous, the 56-year-old Opus Dei numerary is praised by commentators across the political spectrum. He inspires confidence without displaying a whiff of arrogance – essential attributes when representing the Pope.
As John Allen of Cruxnow.com explained: “Burke came to Rome as a journalist working for Catholic news outlets, which gave him a deep understanding of the story. Because he was exceptionally talented, however, he quickly transitioned to the big leagues, first to Time magazine and then to Fox News. That background means Burke has an insider’s understanding of the dynamics of the news business, and he speaks the language of professional journalists.”
Burke’s track record in Rome so far bodes well. The Vatican first employed him in June 2012 in the wake of scandals and leaks at the heart of the Curia.
As Edward Pentin reported on these pages at the time: “A keen golfer and avid football fan, it hasn’t been an easy choice for Burke and entails considerable sacrifice.” Burke clearly enjoyed his role at Fox News reporting all over the world, but he told Pentin: “I had a great 10 years and I planned to continue for three or four more. So why did I say yes? Because it was the right thing to do, to try to do something good for the Church”.
Since Burke’s arrival it seems his aim of doing “something good” has been realised. A natural communicator and a skilled tweeter, he regularly manages to capture the heart of the Pope’s message in only 140 characters.
He does not, of course, take credit for the Church’s improved image under Pope Francis. He explains the Francis effect like this: “I’m going to kick the ball to the Pope. I mean, the Pope scores goals, you know? The Pope scores goals for us.”
But Burke – once described by Vice magazine as the “PR guru behind the Pope who is charming the world” – has not merely engaged in a little spring-cleaning of the Vatican’s communications’ department.
Since his appointment, Rome’s communications’ structure has undergone major scrutiny under the watchful eye of Lord Patten of Barnes. The peer was not shy about spelling out that the Church needs to get its act together when it comes to public relations long-term.
Pope Francis’s appointments are a serious response to this long-running PR problem. As Burke himself noted in an interview with Vatican Radio this week: “The word of the day is ‘international’.”
He added: “Obviously Italian is the language of the Curia, it’s the working language and that’s important, but in terms of reaching the Catholic audience – about half of the Catholic world is Spanish-speaking – and if you want to reach the globe: English is key.”
Burke and his deputy are perfect, then, for “reaching the globe”. As strange as it may seem, a white, male, former Fox News reporter from the US appears to be the ideal candidate to represent the Latin American Pope who champions the peripheries.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.