Pope applauds 25yrs of Vatican Tv

Staff members, contributors, and advisors of Vatican Television (CTV) have been applauded by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on Sunday morning on the occasion of the celebration of CTV’s 25th anniversary this year.

Speaking after being hosted the President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Cardinal John Patrick Foley and General Director of CTV, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., Pope Benedict XVI recalled the phrase Videre Petrum (to see the Pope) a desire that has brought uncountable pilgrims to Rome and which could be fulfilled, at least in part.

“But thanks to radio and television, which have allowed so many ... to participate in the ceremonies and events of the Vatican and the other places visited by the Pope in carrying out his ministry," he said, stressing that the efforts of member of CTV, above all, is the precious service for communion in the Church, according to Vatican News.

"Your collaboration with Catholic television stations has been characteristic from your very inception. It is encouraging to know that not a few Catholic television stations in various regions of the world are connected to you. In this manner, a ever greater number of faithful can see, live or recorded, what happens at the center of the Church," the Holy father said.

He also noted that television, however, is not seen only by Catholics.

“In offering your images to the major television stations of the world and the main state or commercial channels, you assist the proper and timely dissemination of information on life and the teaching of the Church in today’s world, at the service of the dignity of the human being, of justice, and of dialogue and peace," he declared.

Referring later to the transmission of liturgical ceremonies the Holy Father reaffirmed that liturgy is truly the apex of the Church’s life, the time and place of a profound relationship with God.

“Following the liturgical event through the attentive eye of the camera, which allows those who cannot be physically present to participate spiritually, is an arduous and noble task," the Pontiff said.

Emphasising that the images taken over the course of these years and that are now in storage make the archive an invaluable resource, not only for the production of current and future television programmes, “but also for the history of the Holy See and the Church. ... So that the Church might remain present with its message in the ’great Areopagus’ of the mass media, as John Paul II said, and to not feel a foreigner to the places where a great many youth navigate in search of answers and meaning for their lives, you have to seek paths to spread, in new ways, the voices and images of hope through the electronic network that envelops our planet in an increasingly encompassing web."

Concluding, he asserted, "Carry on! Thanks to your work many people can feel closer to the heart of the Church."

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