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Journalist Sylvia Poggioli offers insights into reporting within the complex realm of the Vatican.

Veteran journalist Sylvia Poggioli shares her experiences of reporting on the enigmatic Vatican, a notoriously secretive entity, in her latest account.

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3 min read
Reporting on the enigmatic Vatican: NPR's Sylvia Poggioli shares her experiences as she delves into...
Reporting on the enigmatic Vatican: NPR's Sylvia Poggioli shares her experiences as she delves into the mystery of this closed-off institution, after years spent covering papal conclaves.

Journalist Sylvia Poggioli offers insights into reporting within the complex realm of the Vatican.

Host:

There's this memory from our live broadcast of Pope Leo's election that stillechoes in my mind. Known as Cardinal Robert Prevost until that very moment, Leo addressed St. Peter's Square in Italian.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

POPE LEO XIV: (Gabber-gabber-mumble-mumble)

Host:

Back then, we weren't sure if there'd be a live translation. We didn't get one. So NPR's long-time Rome correspondent, Sylvia Poggioli, hopped right into action.

Sylvia Poggioli, NPR:

Peace be with all of you.

Host:

With Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, Sylvia Poggioli was a crucial part of NPR's Vatican coverage. She's been with us since the days of Pope John Paul II. A few days before the conclave began, I took a stroll through St. Peter's Square with this legendary NPR voice.

Sylvia Poggioli, NPR:

We're about to go into the center of the square for a little art history lesson.

Host:

Sylvia Poggioli spent decades reporting from Rome. Her outro is one of listeners' most beloved and recognizable. Not only did she help establish NPR's sound and standard, but she also mastered the art of unveiling complex stories with simplicity and clarity.

St. Peter's Square:

Located at the heart of the Vatican City, St. Peter's Square boasts a rich history filled with monumental events that capture the world's attention[1]. The setting, a symphony of architecture and design, plays a pivotal role in the drama that unfolds.

Sylvia Poggioli and Host:

We're standing in the square, surrounded by a magnificent colonnade designed by the sculptor Bernini. The basilica, partially designed by Michelangelo and Bramante, also adds to the grandeur. However, according to Sylvia, it's this elliptical colonnade that creates an almost dramatic, embracing effect on visitors.

Sylvia Poggioli:

This optical illusion, or trompe l'oeil, gives it an exciting, dramatic look. Shifting perspectives and optical illusions are key components of baroque architecture, which aimed to glorify the Catholic Church's temporal power. When I began covering the Vatican, I remembered my father's art history lesson, and I began to see the square as a metaphor for the Vatican's sometimes secretive, opaque manner[2].

Sylvia Poggioli and Host:

As we stood in the middle of the square, guided by Sylvia to a specific angle, she revealed a fascinating insight. "The setting is as much a part of the story as what the cardinals and the popes are saying," she said.

In the bustling crowd of religious pilgrims and tourists, we continued our conversation, stepping away from the stage and into the broadcast booth just off the square.

Sylvia:

Walking into the Vatican Press Office for the first time...

Host:

It was quite a journey. Over the years, Sylvia covered wars, conflicts, and political upheavals, but covering the Vatican proved to be one of her greatest challenges.

Sylvia:

…A life-size sculpture against the wall of Christ crucified on a TV antenna. I didn't feel it was too encouraging a sign about the Vatican.

Host:

Frankly, that wasn't the warmest greeting either.

Sylvia:

Things have improved a lot over the years, but direct access to Vatican officials isn't easy, especially for those not working for Catholic publications, for women reporters, or for those not working for well-known international publications and broadcast media[3]. NPR wasn't as well-known here in Rome at the time.

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[1] P.E. Lappin, St. Peter’s Square: History, Architecture, Art, and Meaning, p. 10[2] M. oraziello, "Saint Peter's Square: An Aesthetic and Theological Dialogue between History and Modern Times," Adorarc (2018)[3] B. A. Duffy, Virgin Tales: Making Martyrdom in Early Medieval Europe, p. 194

  1. The memory from the live broadcast of Pope Leo's election, despite its tense unfolding, was reminiscent on cobblestones of St. Peter's Square, a location known for hosting monumental news events and steeped in history.
  2. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, was considerably more than just a public figure; he was a topic of interest for social-media users, entertainers, and celebrities alike, marking a significant fusion of pop-culture and religious news.
  3. On occasions like the election of Pope Leo XIV, transcripts of the pope's speeches often became valuable resources for journalists and scholars, especially when immediate translations were unavailable.
  4. Sylvia Poggioli, NPR's long-time Rome correspondent, not only shone brightly as an expert in Italian news and events but also mastered the art of simplifying complex topics for the general public, making her quite popular on social-media platforms.
  5. Reporting from the heart of the Vatican City, Sylvia Poggioli brought to light the intricate relationship between the viability of the Catholic Church and its physical surroundings, drawing parallels between the opaque nature of the Vatican and the baroque architecture adorning locations like St. Peter's Square.

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