On July 5, 2017, the world bid farewell to Joaquín Navarro-Valls, the man whose dedication and integrity transformed the communication of the Holy See. As a journalist, doctor, and member of Opus Dei, Navarro-Valls served as the director of the Holy See Press Office for 22 years, guiding and amplifying the evangelical message of Saint Pope John Paul II.
A Unique Bond with Saint Pope John Paul II
Navarro-Valls shared a unique bond with Saint Pope John Paul II. He was not merely a spokesperson but also a trusted friend. Through their special relationship, characterized by informal moments and camaraderie, Navarro-Valls successfully conveyed the human dimension of the Pope. He embodied the role of a spokesperson, establishing significant relationships with journalists, editors, and colleagues at a time when such a position did not exist in Italy.
On June 5, on the occasion of the forty-fifth anniversary of Karol Wojtyla’s election, a book titled “I miei anni con Giovanni Paolo II – note personali” (My Years with John Paul II – Personal Notes) was presented at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The book is a collection of Navarro-Valls’ handwritten notes taken during his tenure, providing a deeper understanding of the “spokesperson.” We interviewed Diego Contreras, a journalist and professor of Information Analysis and Practice at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, to gain further insights.
Professor, when did you meet Navarro-Valls, and what impression did you have of him?
“The first time I met him was when I went to visit him at the Press Office. I had recently arrived in Rome as a journalist correspondent for a Spanish agency, and he was very welcoming. He helped me a lot with some very simple matters, but I already saw him as a legend. He made me feel at home.”
What memories do you have of him as a collaborator at the faculty?
“He collaborated with this faculty from the very beginning, which aims to contribute to the institutional communication of the Church, both in education and research. He was very generous, even though he didn’t have regular courses. He often attended meetings and doctoral theses. In fact, Navarro was a visiting professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, in the Faculty of Institutional Social Communication, since 1996.”
Why publish this book only after his death?
“He absolutely wanted it to be published after his death, and that’s why it was published now. It was his wish not to appear as the protagonist because he didn’t like it. We collaborated in preparing that material for publication, but the text was actually written by him at the time.”
What significant revelations have emerged about the relationship between St. Pope John Paul II and Navarro-Valls?
“This book highlights the behind-the-scenes life of the Pope. The protagonist of the book is the Pope, as written by Navarro himself. However, he wanted to present the life and activities of the Pontiff from a different perspective. There are many conversations, dinners, and various summer periods, for example. I would say that these private moments are the most endearing because you can see a Pope with a great sense of humor, deeply interested in people, and with a remarkable ability to engage in conversations on diverse topics. He also specified that there aren’t many unpublished episodes since the pontificate of John Paul II is well known. However, there is this new, more intimate vision of the Pope’s life.”
