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Training journalists to be peacemakers: EWTN Summer Academy concludes in Rome

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

Inspired by its mission, EWTN News held its fifth annual EWTN Summer Academy in Rome to train future generations of Catholic journalists.

From June 22 to July 1, the EWTN Vatican Bureau hosted 43 young journalists and media professionals from 26 countries, training them in journalism, video editing, and storytelling to support the Church’s mission of evangelization.

The program took place at the Centro Internazionale di Animazione Missionaria (CIAM) on the campus of the Pontifical Urban University, where participants enjoyed a scenic view of St. Peter’s Basilica and Square from above.

Training journalists to be peacemakers Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly highlighted the importance of the media for the Church and the world. In several of his public speeches to journalists, he challenged them to work for peace in a world marked by polarization, war, and fake news.

“In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Mt 5:9). This is a beatitude that challenges all of us, but it is particularly relevant to you [journalists],” Leo said in a speech to journalists after the 2025 conclave.

Anthony Johnson, a co-founder and program director of the EWTN…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (5) 🌐 Show original

Dragan Kostić

It's really nice that they gathered young people from 26 countries right there on Urbaniana with a view of Saint Peter. That call by Pope Leo XIV to be peacemakers according to the Beatitudes is the most interesting part for me - today's journalists prefer to set fire to peace. I wonder how many of them will actually implement it when they get home.

Vladimir Ilić

What really caught my eye was that the program was on Urbaniana with a view of Saint Peter. Pope Leo XIV's call for journalists to be peacemakers according to the Beatitudes is right, because today most of them only add fuel to the fire. I wonder if at least some of those 43 young people will really take it home or if they will be left with nice words.

Corina Rusu

Yes, I also liked the part with the view of Saint Peter from Urbaniania - it seems to help you remember why you do this work. As for Pope Leo XIV's call for peace in the Beatitudes, I also wonder how many of the 43 will manage not to be swept away by the wave of scandals when they return home. Anyway, it's good that such concrete courses are made.

Constantin Ciobanu

The place at CIAM, with that view of St. Peter's Basilica, really makes you remember what you're working for. The "blessed are the peacemakers" part of Pope Leo XIV's speech seemed to me to be the best - especially now when you see so many journalists just nitpicking. I also wonder how many of the 43 will remember this when they return home.

James Adams

That view over St Peter’s from the Urbanianum sounds like it would keep things in perspective. The bit about Leo XIV quoting “Blessed are the peacemakers” and telling journalists they’re meant to heal instead of inflame stuck with me too. I wonder how many of those 43 will still be thinking about it once they’re back home chasing deadlines.