The 2023 “È Giornalismo” Award was given to Pope Francis on Saturday morning, 26 August, for his message promoting dialogue and peace. In a statement, the award organizers explain that it was an unprecedented choice, but one lining up perfectly with the vision of the award founders (Indro Montanelli, Enzo Biagi, Giorgio Bocca and Giancarlo Aneri) back in 1995. Their objective was to raise awareness of journalism’s role in promoting free expression and contributing to the construction of justice through service to truth. The award organizers explain that today, this goal “is renewed in rediscovering the courage to speak and write about peace”, and with his message, Pope Francis demonstrates that very courage.
The Jury, led by Giancarlo Aneri himself and composed of Stella Aneri, Giulio Anselmi, Mario Calabresi, Massimo Gramellini, Paolo Mieli, Gianni Riotta and Gian Antonio Stella, considers their decision to bestow this award on Pope Francis as “an important sign for the world information, especially for the youngest generations of journalists”. They also recalled the Holy Father’s teachings, according to which peace “is a patient effort to seek truth and justice, to honour the memory of victims and to open the way, step by step, to a shared hope stronger than the desire for vengeance”.