Vatican (Finally) Shows Some Media Savvy

By Jacqueline L. Salmon

Who said the pope isn't media savvy? Pope Benedict XVI is expected to delay the release of his new encyclical on the global economy, poverty and the worldwide financial crisis until just before the G8 summit at L'Aquila next week, according to Italian reports.

He is expected to sign the document today but, in a sign of some PR chops somewhere in the Vatican, won't release it until next week, according the reports. Guaranteed to attract maximum media coverage, of course.

The encyclical, Caritas in veritate (Charity in Truth), will outline the goals and values that the faithful must "tirelessly defend" to ensure "true freedom and solidarity" among humans, Benedict said in a recent speech.

The pope is expected to wade full bore into the economic crisis. The encyclical analyzes the destructive effect on society of the pursuit of commercial or private interests without "social responsibility" or "conscience and honesty." It proposes an international agreement on globalization based on "the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity" and "the values of charity and truth."

By Jacqueline L. Salmon  |  June 29, 2009; 9:45 AM ET  | Category:  God in Government
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