VATICAN CORNER
It would seem that Pope Francis’ busy schedule would not allow him time to compose all of the many speeches he must give both at the Vatican and when on his foreign trips. Like any modern head of state, there are probably people who assist him in drafting his talks since he usually must deliver several a day and when on trips, give frequent speeches that last longer. In November 2013, the Italian daily newspaper La Stampa claimed to have identified the newly named “Coordinator of Papal Speech and Homily Writing”, a Monsignor Paolo Luca Braida. The Vatican never confirmed that story. However, it is thought that Pope Francis may have much more to do with writing his own speeches than did previous Popes, since they seem more spontaneous, conversational, and unfiltered, coming more from his heart than from an anonymous speechwriter. Pope Francis’ daily homilies that draw worldwide interest are not delivered from written text. At the morning mass celebrated in the chapel of the guest house where he lives, his homilies are spontaneously given and in Italian, a language that he knows well but which isn’t his mother tongue. Pope Francis has decided not to allow live audio or video of those homilies and no complete transcripts be distributed because he fears the loss of the familiar atmosphere with the attendees, and the spontaneous talk would require his editing for the print. Therefore he has Vatican Radio summarize and distribute in news stories and blogs his reflections on the daily readings to allow the public to have access to the main messages. As a Jesuit-trained communicator Francis understands and obeys certain rules of writing and persuasion. The rule of three is one very powerful and effective guideline. It simply states that, in short term memory, we can recall words, themes, or ideas when they are grouped in threes. The greatest works of literature are grouped in three, as are famous quotes, and famous speeches. A few examples are: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” – “Faster, Higher, Stronger“- “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” -“Blood, sweat, and tears” – “Mind, body, spirit” – “Stop, Look, and Listen” – “Faith, Hope, and Charity”. Here are a few of Francis’ use of the rule of three: “ if we want security, let us give security, if we want life, let us give life, if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities” – “trapped in a hopeless maze of violence, abuse and despair” – “the complexity, the gravity and the urgency of these challenges demand that we pool our resources and talents.” The rule of three is a fundamental building block of persuasion. Pope Francis, who appears to write many of his speeches himself, understands that words and language can move people to action.
Source: ncronline.org, cruznow.com, forbes.com