Vatican City – On October 17, 2025, at the Pontifical Lateran University, The Pillar’s correspondent Edgar Beltrán was physically assaulted while attempting to ask a question to H.E. Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.
The journalist reported that he was attacked by an unidentified Venezuelan man who, shouting in a South American dialect, accused him of “asking questions about the government,” pushed him, grabbed him by the collar, and snatched the phone from his hand. Beltrán described the scene with clarity and a touch of bitter irony: “I don’t recall this, but in the audio recording I have of the whole ordeal, I started laughing at this man. Maybe I was just nervous. Or maybe, as I spoke, I realized that we were not in Venezuela, and that a man like him can do me no harm here. I told him: “We’re in a free country. We’re not in Venezuela anymore.” Only the intervention of several bystanders prevented the situation from escalating. The journalist then approached Archbishop Peña Parra again, who — according to Beltrán — was “shocked, eyes wide open,” and resumed the interview with composure.
Parolin’s words: a misplaced lesson
This morning, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, commenting on the attack suffered in Italy by journalist Sigfrido Ranucci, stated: “It is a source of great concern that acts of intimidation could occur against the free press… We want everyone to be able to express themselves without being subjected to such threats.” Words that are commendable, certainly. Yet also discordant, when read in light of the numerous acts of intimidation against journalists that have occurred within the Vatican or its sphere of influence.
How can the Holy See condemn threats against the press when, on its own soil — and under the responsibility of the Secretariat of State — events occur that undermine its moral credibility?
A growing list
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. On May 18, 2022, inside the Vatican Tribunal, the Promoter of Justice Alessandro Diddi publicly attacked a journalist, revealing the name of one of her sources in open court — an act that, in any other State, would have resulted in disciplinary sanctions and an investigation for breach of professional secrecy. The same journalist, interviewed by Silere non possum, explained how AIGAV president Loup Besmond de Senneville chose silence: “He didn’t take a stand because he’s restrained by the Italian Vaticanists, who are afraid of appearing unfriendly to those in power. They are compliant.”
In 2023, a Vatican employee of St. Peter’s Basilica was falsely accused of being a source for Silere non possum and subjected to a criminal investigation initiated by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti and Diddi himself. That man had no connection whatsoever with the news outlet, yet — according to multiple witnesses — both Diddi and De Santis made direct threats to Silere non possum journalists during conversations with lawyers and other parties.
Press freedom under supervision
One must therefore ask: did Cardinal Parolin look in the mirror before uttering those words? Condemning intimidation abroad is legitimate, but it rings hypocritical if not paired with serious internal self-criticism. Before posing as a champion of press freedom worldwide, the Secretariat of State should ensure that the Vatican itself is a safe place for journalists. And let us not forget a crucial detail: according to the Vatican Judicial System Law, all magistrates are appointed by the Pope upon the recommendation of the Secretariat of State. This means that the political and moral responsibility for their actions inevitably falls also on the Secretary of State.
The real scandal
The Beltrán case is not just a news story — it is a mirror. It reflects a system that fosters control and pressure over the press whenever journalism becomes inconvenient. A system that prefers prepackaged statements to free questions, complicity to the duty of truth. And yet, as Beltrán himself reminded us, we are not in Venezuela. Or at least — one hopes — not yet.
d.C.T.
Silere non possum