The two figures most responsible for the Vatican’s media interactions resigned Monday.
Vatican head spokesman Greg Burke and his deputy Paloma Garcia Ovejero, who both handle most of the day-to-day dealings with the media, are departing just as the Roman Catholic Church will face a global summit addressing the issue of sexual abuse in the church.
Burke said on Twitter Monday that he and his deputy had been praying about the decision for months, and that their resignation would be effective come the New Year.
“Paloma and I have resigned, effective Jan. 1. At this time of transition in Vatican communications, we think it’s best the Holy Father is completely free to assemble a new team,” Burke tweeted.
Paloma and I have resigned, effective Jan. 1. At this time of transition in Vatican communications, we think it’s best the Holy Father is completely free to assemble a new team.
— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) December 31, 2018
After a year that revealed several sex abuse scandals within the church, the Vatican will now have to seek a new public face. The Vatican is scheduled to hold a summit in February to address the crisis.
Burke and Garcia Ovejero were well known among journalists covering the Vatican and Burke would often travel with Pope Francis when venturing out of Rome, according to the Washington Post.
Although the press team is made up of about 20 employees, Burke and Garcia Ovejero often were the individuals that took and answered questions from the press.
Burke worked as a Fox News reporter in Rome before he took a job in the Vatican communications office in 2012.
