The Pontiff gives exclusive interview to Dutch street paper seller
Pope Francis invited a homeless street paper seller into the Vatican to discuss his plans to the to support the poor.
Dutch street paper vendor Marc, 51, who sells Straatnieuws in Utrecht, was the lucky vendor to visit the Vatican on 27 October.
The interview will be published in the UK’s Big Issue on 9 November and also via the International Network of Street Papers' (INSP) news service.
The article was written by two Vatican specialists who joined Marc.
For the last decade, INSP has been providing free editorial content to street papers, building their capacity and quality, and boosting vendors’ sales.
Past exclusives have included interviews with the Dalai Lama and Bob Dylan, as well as an article written by Prince William.
Pope Francis invited a homeless street paper seller into the Vatican to discuss his plans to the to support the poor.
Dutch street paper vendor Marc, 51, who sells Straatnieuws in Utrecht, was the lucky vendor to visit the Vatican on 27 October.
The interview will be published in the UK’s Big Issue on 9 November and also via the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) news service.
The article was written by two Vatican specialists who joined Marc.
For the last decade, INSP has been providing free editorial content to street papers, building their capacity and quality, and boosting vendors’ sales.
Past exclusives have included interviews with the Dalai Lama and Bob Dylan, as well as an article written by Prince William.
He took me seriously, that was really great - Marc
Marc said: “It was so brilliant that he made the time for me and he thanked me for making such a long journey to meet with him. He thought about my questions so calmly. He took me seriously, that was really great. He is such a kind, wise but also humorous man. We had a really good laugh!”
Explaining why he chose to grant this rare interview to street papers, Pope Francis said: “I want a world without poverty. We need to fight for that.”
INSP chief executive Maree Aldam added: “We are delighted that Pope Francis has given this exclusive interview, which will feature in street papers around the world. It was also a very exciting opportunity for Straatnieuws vendor Marc to travel to Rome to meet the Pope.
“This feature follows many street paper exclusives with other high profile leaders such as the Dalai Lama and Prince William, as well as prominent cultural figures.
Around the world, and throughout public life, people recognise the power of the street paper movement. We are delighted that so many important individuals want to be involved with our network.
The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee said: “We’re delighted to carry the British exclusive of this interview. It’s a significant interview for The Big Issue and for INSP.
"It illustrates the reach street papers have and also why we remain a platform for the very biggest global names. Also, as Christmas gets closer I hope this provides vendors with a springboard to sales.”
