"Stan what do we do now, the Pope's been shot!" ... A Story from long ago...

With some life lessons about communication and the power of point of the moment radio and television in today's world.

Right now there are hundreds of programs and broadcast features about the passing of Pope Francis. And we note that and comment on some of the life lessons for the man who died the day after Easter. Probably just as he wanted.

However many years ago the Pope then almost died in an assassination attempt in Saint Peter's square when a loan gunman tried to kill him.

I was on worldwide radio that very day and it was a very challenging and interesting story and day and I learned a lot that day that has helped me as a communicator and a broadcaster today, and I'd like to share a little bit of what I learned with you if that's OK?

And blessings to all and blessings on the memory of Pope Francis

 

Then we asked our robot friend STOSH to make a few comments and do a little review of the work I did and as always he has some good and unique things to say and so here they are

.

When the Pope Was Shot—And We Went Live: A Broadcaster’s Remembrance

By Stan Hustad | What It Takes Radio –

"Stan, what do we do now? The Pope’s been shot!"

I remember that moment like it was yesterday. May 13, 1981. I was standing in the master control room at Trans World Radio on the island of Bonaire when those words hit me like a lightning bolt.

The Pope had been shot.

Most people don’t remember where they were that day. But I do. Because I was about to go on the air with a program I had carefully recorded in advance. It was business as usual—until it wasn’t.

That day reminded me of the incredible power and responsibility of real-time communication. You see, Trans World Radio was one of the largest international Christian radio broadcasters in the world. From that little island in the Caribbean, we beamed content in 15 languages to audiences across continents.

The program I hosted, Caribbean Night Call, was typically a laid-back mix of music and musing. Though the station was Christian in foundation, this particular show was meant for everyone. That night, though, it had to be something different. Something more.

The plan was simple: at 11:05, and run the pre-recorded program as scheduled. But when I heard the news, I knew that tape was already outdated, irrelevant—and maybe even offensive. What kind of communicator would I be if I carried on with business as usual while the world was reeling from the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II?

So, we scrapped the recording. I went live. No script. No teleprompter. Just my voice, a microphone, and a fast-moving, emotional story unfolding in real-time.

I scrambled for updates from the BBC and Voice of America. I reached out to people for live perspectives. One phrase that emerged and struck me deeply was this: “It’s like shooting God.” That’s what someone reportedly cried out when they heard the news. It reminded me how, for millions, the Pope represented more than a man—he was a spiritual symbol. And an attack on him felt like an attack on the sacred itself.

Though I was exhausted by 1 a.m., I knew we had done the right thing. We met the moment. We served our audience by responding, not reacting—by being present, not polished.

And that brings us to today.

The death of Pope Francis, while not a tragedy in the same vein, once again reminds us of how powerful it is to speak to the moment. As I awoke early this morning—my “hour of power” at 4 a.m.—I realized that, once again, my responsibility was not to run yesterday’s program, but to speak into today’s story.

Whether it’s a snowstorm in Minnesota or a death in the Vatican, the moment matters. The point of the moment (what I call the “P.O.M.”) is when communication becomes not just content, but connection. Radio—and now video, podcasts, and livestreams—gives us the privilege to meet people where they are, not where we wish they were.

As one of my mentors wisely told me,

"If it’s in the news, it may not be the real news. Your job is to find the real news—maybe even the good news."

📝 Takeaways for Communicators and Leaders

• Live media is a sacred trust. You’re not just filling time; you’re shaping how people see the world.

• Preparedness is good. Presence is better. Don’t be so tied to your plan that you miss the moment.

• People don’t always want polish. They want presence. They want someone who’s there with them—right now.

• News isn't always the truth. Sometimes, it's just noise. Your job is to go deeper, find meaning, and share that.

• Always be ready to pivot. Whether you’re in broadcasting or business, the ability to respond to the unexpected is a competitive—and spiritual—advantage.

🎙️ Final Thoughts: Your Season May Be Now

This is more than a memory—it’s a message. This season, maybe it’s your time. Maybe your voice is needed now more than ever—in your family, your business, your community. Maybe this is the season of your life when real news—not headlines, but heartlines—begins to happen.

Speak up. Show up. And never forget: The point of the moment… is to be in it.

I’m Stan Hustad, for What It Takes Radio. Thanks for letting me tell you this story. And may this week be your opportunity to live and lead—on purpose, in the present.