'Tell Stories of Hope’ Narrative 4 Joins Pope Francis at the Vatican

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‘Tell Stories of Hope’ Narrative 4 Joins Pope Francis at the Vatican

February 18, 2025

Narrative 4 at the Vatican

Starting the year on the brightest note possible, Narrative 4 hosted a unique Program at the Vatican with 130 young journalists from 62 countries at the World of Communication Conference. The event was part of the Jubilee: a special year for Catholics worldwide.

Lee Keylock meets Pope Francis.
Photo Credits: Vatican Media©️

“Narrative 4 was invited to the Vatican to teach young journalists and communicators how to use storytelling to connect across divides, generate understanding, and inspire hope.“

Lee Keylock, Senior Director of Programmes & Special Initiatives at Narrative 4.

Meeting Pope Francis

Narrative 4 Staff Members from Nigeria, Mexico and Ireland meet Pope Francis

One of the highlights of this event was hearing from Pope Francis who addressed communicators, urging them to share narratives that inspire hope, bridge divides, and foster unity. The event brought together communicators, journalists, and storytellers, emphasising the power of storytelling in countering division and spreading hope.

130 People from 62 Countries: 130 Stories of Hope

See what some of the 130 participants had to say about the Story Exchange.

‘A Pilgrimage of Repair’

Author Colum McCann also delivered a keynote speech at the conference to 10,000 delegates where he described storytelling as a “pilgrimage of repair”—a way to build understanding, mend broken relationships, and promote peace.

“Storytelling is a call to action. Story listening is a form of prayer.”

‘Hope is not passive; it’s active’

Maria Ressa, a Filipino journalist and Nobel Prize Laureate also delivered a keynote address at the event, she warned about the dangers of technology-driven disinformation, which undermines trust and democracy.

“Hope is not passive; it’s active, relentless, and strategic”