250 journalists and Catholic media professionals from more than 25 countries in Lourdes

For its 25th anniversary, the Fédération des Médias Catholique de France is organizing Saint Francis de Sales
Days in Lourdes, from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 January.

Gathering together more than 250 journalists and Catholic media professionals from more than twenty countries from all continents, the Saint Francis de Sales Days are a fundamental event that enables everyone, beneath the benevolent gaze of Mary, to recharge their batteries, share their profession and be mutually enriched. In these tumultuous times, in the middle of a media crisis and the growing digitalization of society, these three days of meetings and debates are pure oxygen for communications professionals.

Open for four years at international level, in particular through fruitful collaboration with the Holy See Dicastery for Communication, SIGNIS World and this year UCSI, the Days gather professionals from all over Europe, but also the USA, Canada, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire and other countries.

This year, exceptionally, they will be joined by Cardinal Pietro PAROLIN, the Holy See Secretary of State, who will come in particular to award the Father Jacques Hamel Prize, named after the priest assassinated while celebrating Mass in his church of Saint’Etienne du Rouvray. The prize recognizes journalistic work that
has made a special contribution to peace in the world. The Cardinal will award the prize in the presence of Roselyne Hamel, sister of Father Jacques Hamel, who since the assassination has borne witness everywhere to the faith transmitted to her by her brother.

The theme: “How to be heard? Great Catholic voices answer”, will be considered by exceptional speakers.

The Press Conference to present these Days will be held on Monday 12 December 2022 at 15.00, in the Sala Marconi in the Vatican Radio premises, in the presence of:

• Jean-Marie MONTEL, director general of the Bayard Group, consultant to the Dicastery for
Communication, and chair of the Fédération des Médias Catholiques de France;
• Father Michel DAUBANES, new rector of the Lourdes Shrine;
• Don Stefano STIMAMIGLIO, director of Famiglia Cristiana;
• Xavier LE NORMAND, journalist for the daily newspaper La Croix and programme coordinator.

The conference will be livestreamed (and subsequently available in replica) on
https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
Journalists and media operators who wish to attend the Press Conference, Monday 12 December 2022 at 3 p.m., in the Sala Marconi, must apply, no less than 48 hours before the event, through the Holy See Press Office online accreditation System available at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti