By Isabella H. de Carvalho
In a world marked by divisions and by the emergence of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV urged those who work in Catholic media and communications to give space to the stories of people who are suffering and who are working for peace.
“I encourage you to be sowers of good words, amplifiers of voices that courageously seek reconciliation by disarming hearts of hatred and fanaticism,” he said, in a message released on Wednesday, Jan 21, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and addressed to the French Catholic Media Federation (Fédération des Médias Catholiques).
“In a fragmented and polarized world, be the antennae that pick up and relay what the weak, marginalized, lonely, and those who need to know the joy of feeling loved, are experiencing,” said the Pope.
The message was sent on the occasion of the 29th edition of the Days of St Francis de Sales, taking place in Lourdes on Jan 21-23. Every year the Fédération des Médias Catholiques organizes this event, which brings together journalists from all over the world to reflect on the mission of Catholic media and communications. St Francis de Sales is the patron saint of the Catholic press.
The service of truth that Catholic media can offer
“To face this era marked—including in the field of communication—by the emergence of artificial intelligence, it is urgent to return to the reasons of the heart, to the centrality of good relationships, and to the ability to draw closer to others, without excluding anyone,” Pope Leo emphasized in his message.
He explained that this need can find a response in “the service of truth that Catholic media can offer to everyone, even those who do not believe.”
In his message Pope Leo also said he appreciated the theme the participants were focusing on this year, which is “what responsibility do Catholic media have in a polarized world?”
Since the beginning of his pontificate Pope Leo “has emphasized the need to promote disarmed and disarming communication that allows us to see without prejudice and with respect for the dignity of each person.”
He said “we need words that heal the wounds of life, words that build communities where enmity separates people and peoples. We must say ‘no to the war of words and images’”.
An example to follow: Father Jacques Hamel
Pope Leo pointed to Father Jacques Hamel—a French priest killed in 2016 by terrorists claiming allegiance to the so-called Islamic State—as a source of inspiration for Catholic communicators.
The Pope noted that the Fédération des Médias Catholiques has a prize named after the priest that they award each year to journalists that have promoted peace and interreligious dialogue through their work.
He underlined that Father Hamel was a witness to the faith to the point of giving up his life, and that he always believed in the value of dialogue.
“Father Hamel was convinced that it is urgent to know how to show closeness to others, without exception,” Pope Leo continued. “To get to know one another, we must meet without letting ourselves be frightened by our differences, ready to be challenged for who we are and for what we believe in.”
“May his example,” the Pope concluded, “encourage you to be seekers of truth in the love that explains everything, artisans of a word that embraces, of a communication capable of bringing together what is broken, of a balm for the wounds of humanity.” – Vatican News
