VATICAN CITY. On the 59th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis released his annual message, calling for a transformation in how we communicate today. With disinformation, polarization on the rise, and a few centers of power controlling vast amounts of data and information, the Pope urges society to “disarm communication” and purify it of aggression.
“Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism, and even hatred,” the Pope writes. He emphasizes that communication, when distorted or used to provoke instinctive reactions, creates division and prevents the building of genuine hope.
Pope Francis warns against aggressive communication, pointing out trends where competition and dominance prevail across various forums. “From television, talk shows to verbal attacks on social media, there is a risk that the paradigm of competition, opposition, the will to dominate and possess, and the manipulation of public opinion will prevail,” he says. This, he argues, erodes community and undermines the common good.
Further, he warns about the “programmed dispersion of attention” caused by digital systems that prioritize market-driven profiling. This weakens social bonds, hampers empathy, and fragments interests, leading to a society increasingly isolated and unable to take collaborative action.
In contrast, the Pope calls for the cultivation of hope, describing it as a “risk that must be taken.” Quoting French author Georges Bernanos, who called hope “a hidden virtue, tenacious and patient,” the Pope reminds Christians that hope is transformative, enabling them to live differently and granting them “the gift of a new life.”
Pope Francis urges Christian communicators to “always be ready to make [their] defense to anyone who demands from [them] an accounting for the hope that is in [them]; yet do it with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15-16). Through gentleness, closeness, and respect, communication can foster openness and friendship, he asserts.
The Pope envisions a form of communication that “walks alongside others,”, particularly in times of struggle, and focuses on beauty and hope. He encourages communicators to create stories that inspire empathy, solidarity, and trust, especially during desperate times.
Citing examples of hope from unexpected places—such as parents praying for the return of children from conflict zones or children finding joy in war-torn streets—Pope Francis highlights that hope can be found even in the most difficult situations.
As we approach the Jubilee Year, the Pope calls on communicators to “spread hope, even when it is difficult.” He reminds us that peacemakers are “children of God” and encourages reflective, gentle communication that fosters dialogue. Pope Francis concludes by urging communicators to “discover and make known the many stories of goodness hidden in the folds of the news,” helping the world to become less indifferent and more compassionate.
“This kind of communication,” the Pope writes, “can help to build communion, to make us feel less alone, to rediscover the importance of walking together.”
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
