Humanity on the front page
The front pages of the newspapers will contain fragments of the Pope's speech in Rome on the occasion of Easter Sunday. In it, Francis recognized humanity as a suffering and vulnerable unit in the face of the virulence of the COVID-19 and prayed for the victims and for the health workers and those responsible for combating the pandemic. He called for generosity and a common effort. It has called for leadership and solidarity from the European Union. It has asked for peace and an end to conflicts in specific areas and territories, which are now more weakened than ever. And it has questioned the warmongering policies and the meaning of the confrontations in a society anguished by inclement illness. A message full of universality and hope.
The front pages of the international media in recent weeks have focused on exposing the shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing its effects. World health officials and other front liners fighting the disease on the front lines have also been the main protagonists. The leaders of different countries and powers affected by the spread of the virus have also been the main protagonists. Donald Trump has topped the list. The United States is the country with the most infected and the largest recognized number of victims at this time. The doubts generated at the beginning of the crisis and the president's hesitant reaction, and some unfortunate statements in the communication with the press, have put him in a difficult situation, aggravated by the demand to start the economy with speed and security criteria.
The solvency of the leadership in this exceptional situation is being put to the test. In the case of the US Administration, even more so, since in addition to looking after its frightened citizens, it has to lead the economic recovery within and outside its borders and maintain international stability in terms of security. These are challenges in the face of which American democracy generates greater confidence than its iliberal rivals. But even so, the effectiveness of the implementation of measures and the results will have to convince public opinion, which is affected by the pandemic in the middle of the electoral year; but which will come back strongly to criticism in the coming weeks.
The provocative discourse that has characterized Trump's relationship with the media is now being questioned by the effectiveness of his policy. With a strengthened Joe Biden in his role as the only candidate capable of unseating him, with experience in multilateral management and a centrist profile, the future of the Republican magnate today sows more doubts than he did just a few weeks ago. The economy, a factor that played in his favour, is now playing against him. And the solvent and humanitarian response to the coronavirus crisis has yet to be determined.
Populism, like so many other extremist messages on the right and left in the political landscape, will now have to find some reliable narrative in the coming months. Because demagogy served some leaders who took advantage of the financial crisis and the weaknesses caused by corruption or, in the case of the United States, by international conflict. But the current crisis is not financial, nor is corruption a cover story in the media. It is a crisis specific to each of the countries affected and a global challenge for humanity. The political leaders will be evaluated with resounding determination. Today, Easter Sunday, the leadership of Pope Francis has united Christians in their hope. And with the help of faith, to each and every person suffering from the pandemic.