Papa Leo XIV, yazarlara kurgunun değerini hissettirdi

Pope made us feel that writers are useful says Igiaba Scego

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 24 - Pope Leo XIV made an international delegation of authors feel that writers are useful during an audience Wednesday marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Vatican publisher Libreria Editrice Vataicnaa (LEV), Italo-Somali novelist Igiaba Scego told ANSA after their encounter with the American pontiff. "Pope Leo made us feel that writers are very useful. Fiction is often marginalized, and yet, precisely because we live in a world of artificial intelligence and unbridled capitalism, understanding that storytelling is the center of life was important. The Pope's words were truly beautiful and encouraging," said Scego, who was born in Rome to a Somali family in 1974. She was received by the Holy Father, along with a delegation of writers from around the world, including Elizabeth Strout, Susanna Tamaro, Marilynne Robinson, Jonathan Safran Foer, Enrico Brizzi, Sorj Chalandon, Maria Grazia Calandrone, Colum McCann, Daniele Mencarelli, Mircea Cărtărescu, and Eraldo Affinati, for the 100th anniversary of LEV's founding. It was not Igiaba Scego's first visit to the Vatican. "The first time I met with Pope Francis, today with Pope Leo. These are enriching experiences. I believe deeply in interreligious dialogue. I'm a Muslim woman, but I'm Roman, so in a certain sense, part of the Church's culture has always been with me. Rome is a city where Catholic ritual is very present. I must say I identify with the faith of others because each of us is different, but each of us is equal," she explains. Did you find continuity between Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV? "On some topics, yes, certainly on the theme of peace. I think each pontificate has its own character and experiences different situations. Today, we have a geopolitical landscape gone mad, with more and more hate speech. I think every pontiff, but this also applies to heads of state, must face new challenges, and the technological one is right before us. "Pope Leo is one of the few leaders who speaks about this, not so much to demonize science, but to humanize it." What moved you about this meeting with the Pope? "I had heard Pope Leo speak in Spanish, in Italian, but never in English, his native language, and it was very interesting. He touched on many topics; peace is always in his speeches. What strikes me about this Pontiff is that he has a vision of the world of peace and understanding of our mutual humanity," says Scego, author of books that consistently address the themes of colonialism and racism, such as 'My Home Is Where I Am' (Rizzoli), 'Cassandra in Mogadishu' (Bompiani), nominated for the 2023 Strega Prize, and her latest release, 'Figli della foresta' (Becco Giallo), her first graphic novel, with Chiara Abastanotti. "Writing," the Holy Father recalled, "is the foundation of the humanity within us. Starting from the human being, at a time when we are experiencing terrible wars and passively accepting AI, without truly managing it, is crucial. If we don't do something, everything will be very dehumanizing. The Pope's speech brings us back to humanity, to our flesh." In the sacristy of St. Peter's Basilica, Scego speaks of the need to "rebuild relationships among us, in our own small way. "We must start with our neighbors, our neighbors; we must get to know each other. Beginning with close relationships is a path to peace. What we need is a little more compassion and the ability to put ourselves in the other's shoes. "Unfortunately, this is not the view of some elites who rule the world, and we are seeing a massive use of weapons, drones, and hate speech that worries me greatly. "Hateful words are turning into extreme violence. This is why the Pope's speech, as he is one of the few world leaders to speak of peace—indeed, almost the only one—is crucial. "His voice is heard; it is a compass. I think all men of religion—Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism—should speak of peace because they are the only ones left to do so in a world that is rearming. "Climate change is the real war we should be fighting, and we are not." Another key issue is that of migration flows, she says. "Remigration is a toxic word. Perhaps our issue is travel rather than migration. We have a regime of strong and weak passports. European laws have actually become more stringent, and the right to asylum is absolutely in danger. "We are creating something truly problematic and in violation of human rights at a time when Africa and Asia are becoming the continents of the future. Europe is increasingly closed off, but it offers no solutions." Strout, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of 'Olive Kitteridge', told ANSA that she write to break isolation, as Leo said. "I think he is a wonderful man and a wonderful Pope. It was a pleasure to meet him today. He spoke about how important it is for readers to be able to read the works of writers because in this way they can identify with so many different lives, they can understand what it means to be so many different people, and I completely agree. It's one of the reasons I write, to help break this isolation that naturally exists between all of us. "The Pope didn't talk about world peace, but I know he's doing his best to help achieve world peace, and that's wonderful," said the beloved author of other books such as 'Adrift,' 'The Burgess Boys,' and 'Lucy by the Sea,. "I have a book coming out in Italy in October: 'The Things We Never Say.' It's already been published in America, England, and Ireland (where it topped the bestseller lists). It's about a high school history teacher. He's a lovely man. It talks about his role in contemporary history and how the actions of the United States government end up affecting him and his son. But it's also about me," the writer says. (ANSA). Read article...