Did leaked encyclical point toward a new Vatican PR strategy?

September 09, 2009

A Veteran Vatican reporter, Marco Tosatti of the daily La Stampa, believes that the early leaks of some sections from the new papal encyclical, Caritas in Veritate-- which obviously came from someone who had access to the final document-- suggested that the Vatican press office may be learning to cultivate better relations with reporters after a year marred by several press-relations debacles.

There is another possible explanation for the leaks: the same explanation that covers leaks from secular governments. Someone at the Vatican might have offered friendly reporters a few glimpses at his own favorite portions of the encyclical, hoping to steer coverage toward his own interpretation of the papal document.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Vatican writer floats theory on mystery about pope's encyclical (National Catholic Register)