Between John Paul II and Joaquin Navarro Valls there was an age difference of sixteen years. The former was a priest by vocation and trained philosopher, the latter graduated from medicine but devoted himself to the journalist’s passion as a member of the Opus Dei prelature. Both of them were interested in literature and theater, and both performed on stage. They spoke several languages and communicated fluently with the world. During the twenty-one years of their collaboration, they shared the conviction that the Gospel must not only be defended today but, above all, skillfully proclaimed and communicated in new ways.
When John Paul II nominated Joaquín Navarro Valls for his spokesman, people in the Vatican were surprised at the fact that such an important function had been given to a lay person. This was a groundbreaking decision. The idea was to focus the Pope’s contact with public opinion on the “feedback” to develop a dialogue, not a monologue, and to become more understandable, and not to talk over the listeners’ heads. The media expertise that Navarro Valls had attained was invaluable.
Both the Pope and his spokesman knew that the world was changing with the participation of media in which, beyond the spoken word, the image was playing an increasingly important role. However, another factor seems even more important. Navarro Valls resigned from his career as a surgeon and psychiatrist. Faith prompted him to see Christ as a true cure for human diseases and for the condition of the spirit. Communicating the reliable information about the Pope, as the main duty he had chosen for himself, served this purpose. Thanks to this attitude, he eliminated fears and prejudices to open the door to Christ.
Joaquín Navvaro Valls once recalled how a little boy in Bogotá came to John Paul II and said, “I know you. You are the Pope, the same one I saw on television”. The point is not to include the picture of the Pope in the main news headlines or on the title page of the newspaper, but that the image and the words associated with it help to convey the truth about God being concerned about the fate of humans. The Pope, whose holiness manifested, among other things, through his intimacy with God and with other men, convinced the world to accept this truth with his own example. The Pope’s attitude was clear, authentic, appealing and inspiring. The pontificate of Pope John Paul II has opened a new chapter in the history of evangelization, for he has shown the Church as a pilgrim in the world, taking care of people’s sorrows and troubles, hopes and joys. Joaquín Navarro Valls unquestionably played a role in this mission.
What made John Paul II and Joaquín Navarro Valls work together so well? What caused the spokesman to have constant access to the Holy Father, which the Vatican dignitaries did not have? What influenced the Pope to trust his spokesman so deeply that he sent him on important diplomatic missions, such as those to Moscow and to Cuba?
First of all, it was due to the belief in God’s activity in human life. Saints are an example of this belief, and those who meet them learn the faith that enlivens and strengthens. Joaquín Navarro Valls, before became a spokesman for St. John Paul II, worked with Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, founder of Opus Dei, and with Blessed Álvaro del Portillo. He considered his work together with the Pope as a grace and a challenge that he wished to succeed as far as his strengths and talents made it possible.
When Joaquín Valls, in a trembling voice, informed the world about the impending death of John Paul II, he could not help crying. These were not just emotions, but the awareness that the father, the master, the teacher was leaving. This image spoke to the depth of the heart and remained in memory forever as an authentic message and personal testimony.
Navarro Valls died on 5 July in Rome. When we bid him farewell, we are convinced that the man of deep faith has departed, whose life’s testimony and the vocation filled with passion cannot be forgotten.
Fr. Andrzej Dobrzyński