Question 3.42

3.42 So how do you understand the word aggiornamento used by the pope since the opening of the Council?

Aggiornamento is a tool for reflection used to situate the Church in a changing world, in which some economic, media, or political sectors were abandoning God by sinking into a dreamlike, liberal, relativistic materialism. How could the Church better bring the Gospel to countries that were showing signs of a crisis of faith? The insight of John XXIII was therefore prophetic. This pope never intended to abandon tradition; some fantasized about a revolution, and they sought, with the aid of the media, to popularize the image of a revolutionary pontiff. This was a political mistake that would not be without consequence.

Benedict XVI never stopped reminding us that the work of the Council Fathers may have been diminished by the media interpretations of Vatican II. Thus, the intention of John XXIII was not made known but instead was commented on and interpreted in an ideological way. Nevertheless, the documents of the Council Fathers are the faithful reflection of Pope John’s original insight. We possess a precious treasure that it is important to consult faithfully.