Why I'm doing this

Some years ago, an Italian journalist arranged to interview the pope in person, on television. Unfortunately, the pope's busy schedule did not allow him to ever meet with the journalist, despite the detailed questions sent over by the journalist to help the pope prepare.



Several months later, the pope responded to these questions anyway. Returning the answered questions to the journalist, a book had been created. A book that would later be published worldwide.

The journalist, whose name was Vittorio Messori, reflected on the kindness of the pope (who was John Paul II) to acknowledge this task of a journalist, and answer the questions he had been given. Messori wrote in his introduction:

"John Paul II had answered them with surprising diligence, without avoiding one of them. The fact that he had taken a journalist so seriously is yet more proof -if there were ever a need- of his humility, of his generous availability to hear our voices, those of the common 'Christians on the street.'"

It's rather inspiring to see a pope view the often inconsequential task of a journalist to be just as important as other tasks. It's a heck of a job at times, and it frequently goes unthanked.

But to be a common Christian on the street, and try to witness to some sense of good in the world on a daily basis... that's an honorable task.

That's what I'm trying to do.