Rimini, August 24, 2026 – Two heavyweights of journalism – Bruno Vespa and Enrico Mentana – between “incorrigible flaws and strokes of genius,” to use the title of the meeting organized at the Communion and Liberation Meeting in Rimini. Vespa, host of Porta a porta, and Mentana, journalist and director of the La7 news (moderated by Mattia Ferraresi, journalist of Domani: he called them “historians of the present”), discussed domestic and foreign politics. Welcomed with applause and curiosity, the two stars of Italian journalism got along famously, often finding themselves on the same wavelength. If anyone present expected news on the La7 front (Mentana called for a change in editorial line) and on the Ranucci case, they were left empty-handed.
The kickoff was on the theme of longevity (of government). Vespa, making his debut at the Meeting, recounted a London dinner with an entrepreneur, who confessed to him that “for the first time I feel governed.” The Meloni government is set to become, on August 31, the longest-lasting executive in Italy. “Stability – Vespa’s word – is a great resource.” Meloni, added Mentana, “was able to benefit from a very strong disorientation of the opposition political forces, this until the entry into the field of Vannacci.” Side note: Mentana on Saturday, in Cortina, had demolished the leading party within the broad field. “The PD has no idea of the future: this is the fundamental problem of the left.” Returning to the Meeting and picking up this concept: “The center-left has not built an alternative narrative, and will have to do so quickly and urgently. When it does, we will see if this stability will be tested.” Leadership theme: “Meloni has had merits, combined with others’ demerits – added the La7 face –. When she was in opposition she did not say ‘no’ to everything. She supported the Ukrainian resistance to the Russian aggression, and for Brothers of Italy that was not easy. Without her, the party would no longer exist. There is a lack of a leadership class.” La Russa, Crosetto, Bignami and associates will be ringing their ears.
For Vespa the center-left should have Schlein as leader, because “she leads the PD, the party with the most votes.” What is the role of the Church in this society, asks Ferraresi? “The Church is in a phase of revival – Vespa maintains –. I was very attached to John Paul II. I was struck by the charisma he had on people, especially young people. I believe we are returning (applause, ed.) to those times with the fresh charisma of Pope Leo, able to manage the Church with extraordinary balance.” Mentana’s judgment is more “problematic,” “because the Church, already from the pontificate of Francis, has not been able to intercept the anxiety for peace that exists in the world. Talking about peace has not helped, not even with the missions of Cardinal Zuppi to Kiev and Moscow, to achieve results. Let’s keep in mind that it is America that holds the cards on peace and wars. However, Prevost can guide the Church in this direction of change.” What is, thus the debate closed, the greatest concern for the two journalists? Vespa: “The few births.” Mentana: “The uncontrolled prevalence of social media logic.”
