Pope Benedict XVI visited the offices of the Vatian newspaper, l’Osservatore Romano to mark its 150th
anniversary.
Founded in July, 1861, as a journal presenting the case
for the Papal states in the wake of the proclamation of the kingdom of
Italy through the whole Italian peninsula, l’Osservatore Romano today is
tasked with presenting the genuine face of the Church, spreading the
teachings of the Pope, informing about his activities and those of the
Roman Curia, and reporting on Catholic life in the world.
In
remarks to the editors, journalists, staff and direction of the
newspaper, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of how the publication helps
the faithful to consider matters touching the common weal in the light
of the Word of Christ and the Magisterium of the Church, with constant
attention to the signs of the times.
Departing from his prepared remarks, Pope Benedict said, “L’Osservatore
does not remain on the surface of events, but goes to the roots below
the surface, shows us the cultural roots, the basis of things.”
The Pope
went on to say that for him, “l’Osservatore is not just a newspaper,
but also a cultural review,” adding that he admires the way that, each
and every day, “[the staff of the Vatican newspaper] is able to give us
great contributions...to get at the heart of the matter – to help all of
us better understand ourselves and the world in which we live".
l’Osservatore
Romano is published daily in Italian and weekly in 8 other languages,
including English.
Most recently, the paper has added a weekly Malayalam
edition for India.
The paper also has an online edition and its
best offerings can be found through the new integrated Vatican
information portal, www.news.va.