Montse Alvarado is the first laywoman ever to lead the Holy See’s media. She spent three years steering EWTN away from its war with Pope Francis — now she inherits the Vatican’s slow, scattered communications machine.
Thanks for the backstory regarding the Vatican, EWTN and the new Communications Director. She has a big challenge but production of the materials in recent years has been insightful. I am still very fond of Pope Francis, he was radical and compassionate. Pope Leo is just plain awesome.
Great news. EWTN apparently did some polling which indicated the vast majority of their audience was not college educated and had a tendency to be confused easily. Political operatives from the right exploited this for votes to punish the poor and EWTN was late to understand the irony. Their audience never recovered their high mark and still a place for the angry and confused.
As a longtime media person (editor, writer, etc.) I was fascinated by this story -- but as a non-Catholic, non-Christian I had no idea what EWTN stood for. So I looked it up: Eternal Word Television Network. And muchas gracias for the introduction to Montse Alvarado. She sounds awesome, and the fact that Pope Leo chose her for this position makes him even more awesome than I knew he was.
Very interesting background on the communication issues at the Vatican. Best wishes to Ms. Alvarado and thank you for your excellent work on making the encyclical readily available.
since I started following your work, this last show of leadership is monumental! You have rescued the encyclical and shown its glory to the world! This is the courageous creativity we need! I have a couple of projects to share with you, if that is possible. One is promoting the inclusion of a module about peace creation for children learning the Catechism. Another is an old text of mine: https://inter-mediacion.com/proyectos/catholic-apology-for-clergy-sexual-abuse-in-the-us/ Very exciting times for the world and for us! Thanks for your courage!
Exactly. It seems that these comments don't reflect a knowledge of EWTN'S the Papal Posse, and all of the POPE Francis criticisms that they allowed for during his entire palace. They hurt the papacy & Catholics the world over.
This is a great piece and I am glad EWTN was overhauled as I always doubted it's non-progressive viewpoint on faith. I am reading Magnificat Humanitas as I have navigated the Vatican website for research and other papal writings and historical papers! I wish more people in the pews would use it as a resource, but most do not know it. Hopefully Montse change that and drive people to exploring the richness of church history. I was just in Rome and if the amount of people visiting the Vatican Basilica and the Museums is any indication that the story is getting out there! Brava! Can't wait to see what she is able to accomplish! I'll be watching and reading!
I cut my previously devoted and constant ties with EWTN with the advent of Arroyo and his spurious Trump/MAGA love and contempt for Pope Francis. Now that I know there's been something of a sea change at EWTN, I will give it a second chance, albeit a cautious one.
His choice of Montse Alvarado is simply another solid example of Pope Leo's general awesomeness.
EWTN will change for the better when Arroyo is gone and whoever is like him. I don’t watch it. I can’t get it and would choose to not watch it if I could. I remember watching Mother Angelica on tv. She is rolling over in her grave at it being a political channel. It was not like that with her in charge.
Alvarado’s appointment reminds of the old Godfather line of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. No doubt this may take EWTN even further right while centering Vatican media.
Thanks for the backstory, Christopher, this was a very interesting read. I'm relatively new to your newsletter and so glad I subscribed; I'm learning a lot.
I'm a portuguese speaker and noticed same difficulty to find the infographics. I agree with Diana, Ms. Alvarado has a big challenge ahead. Good Luck and God bless.
Thanks for the backstory regarding the Vatican, EWTN and the new Communications Director. She has a big challenge but production of the materials in recent years has been insightful. I am still very fond of Pope Francis, he was radical and compassionate. Pope Leo is just plain awesome.
Great news. EWTN apparently did some polling which indicated the vast majority of their audience was not college educated and had a tendency to be confused easily. Political operatives from the right exploited this for votes to punish the poor and EWTN was late to understand the irony. Their audience never recovered their high mark and still a place for the angry and confused.
What about the influence on this woman of the other Leo in this mix — Leonard Leo?
As a longtime media person (editor, writer, etc.) I was fascinated by this story -- but as a non-Catholic, non-Christian I had no idea what EWTN stood for. So I looked it up: Eternal Word Television Network. And muchas gracias for the introduction to Montse Alvarado. She sounds awesome, and the fact that Pope Leo chose her for this position makes him even more awesome than I knew he was.
Unfortunately, she left Arroyo there. His disdain for Pope Francis was palpable.
Very interesting background on the communication issues at the Vatican. Best wishes to Ms. Alvarado and thank you for your excellent work on making the encyclical readily available.
Chris,
since I started following your work, this last show of leadership is monumental! You have rescued the encyclical and shown its glory to the world! This is the courageous creativity we need! I have a couple of projects to share with you, if that is possible. One is promoting the inclusion of a module about peace creation for children learning the Catechism. Another is an old text of mine: https://inter-mediacion.com/proyectos/catholic-apology-for-clergy-sexual-abuse-in-the-us/ Very exciting times for the world and for us! Thanks for your courage!
And from the network Pope Francis once disdained…
How soon this has been forgotten.
Exactly. It seems that these comments don't reflect a knowledge of EWTN'S the Papal Posse, and all of the POPE Francis criticisms that they allowed for during his entire palace. They hurt the papacy & Catholics the world over.
I no longer watch that Trump coddling news and programs. Scr×w them
This is a great piece and I am glad EWTN was overhauled as I always doubted it's non-progressive viewpoint on faith. I am reading Magnificat Humanitas as I have navigated the Vatican website for research and other papal writings and historical papers! I wish more people in the pews would use it as a resource, but most do not know it. Hopefully Montse change that and drive people to exploring the richness of church history. I was just in Rome and if the amount of people visiting the Vatican Basilica and the Museums is any indication that the story is getting out there! Brava! Can't wait to see what she is able to accomplish! I'll be watching and reading!
I cut my previously devoted and constant ties with EWTN with the advent of Arroyo and his spurious Trump/MAGA love and contempt for Pope Francis. Now that I know there's been something of a sea change at EWTN, I will give it a second chance, albeit a cautious one.
His choice of Montse Alvarado is simply another solid example of Pope Leo's general awesomeness.
EWTN will change for the better when Arroyo is gone and whoever is like him. I don’t watch it. I can’t get it and would choose to not watch it if I could. I remember watching Mother Angelica on tv. She is rolling over in her grave at it being a political channel. It was not like that with her in charge.
Alvarado’s appointment reminds of the old Godfather line of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. No doubt this may take EWTN even further right while centering Vatican media.
Thanks for the backstory, Christopher, this was a very interesting read. I'm relatively new to your newsletter and so glad I subscribed; I'm learning a lot.
I'm a portuguese speaker and noticed same difficulty to find the infographics. I agree with Diana, Ms. Alvarado has a big challenge ahead. Good Luck and God bless.
Good news, thanks. She sounds great. AND, not stuck on the idea that AI will fix what is wrong! Hooray for creative intelligence, and ingenuity!