“Share with kindness the hope that dwells in your hearts” (cf. 1 Pet 3:15-16)
In Brazil, the celebration of the Seventh Sunday of Easter coincides with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which is transferred to this day, also marking the World Day of Social Communications. On this occasion, the Pope traditionally writes a special message. This year’s message was left by the beloved Pope Francis, who encourages us to go on mission and proclaim the Word of God. Just as Jesus sent the disciples to continue His work, today He also sends us as announcers of the Gospel.
The World Day of Social Communications reminds us that we are called to use all means of communication to transmit God's message. Living in the digital age, with the internet and artificial intelligence in the spotlight, we must employ these tools for good, evangelizing responsibly. The Holy Spirit, our advocate, will give us the appropriate words for this mission. As Pope Francis said, we need to be a Church "in mission," going out to meet others and sharing the Good News — continuing the work started by the first disciples.
This year’s message aligns with the Jubilee Year of Hope. To speak of God to others, we must nurture faith and hope in order to console the discouraged and strengthen the weak. Our hope comes from the Risen Christ, and the Holy Spirit, received in baptism, drives us to be witnesses of God’s Word.
Since baptism, we have become disciples and missionaries of Jesus, endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Meekness, the central theme of the message, must accompany our journey as disciples. Christian hope is directed toward eternal life. While we are in this world, we must evangelize, do good, and live charity, so we may be worthy of eternal life.
Pope Francis draws attention to the fact that not all communication inspires hope. Often, it promotes fear, prejudice, hatred, and fanaticism. Manipulated or sensationalist news can stir emotions and cause discomfort. We must disarm communication, purifying it of all aggressiveness. Many TV programs, for example, prioritize violence and discord, creating feelings of insecurity and not contributing positively to the public.
He also warns about the use of social media: we must be careful with the overexposure of our lives and the lives of our families. There are cases where social networks become spaces for hatred and the coordination of harmful actions. For Christians, it is essential to use these platforms for good, to evangelize, and promote love.
Another concern of the Pope is the so-called "planned distraction of attention" — people who seek only visibility or take advantage of others. It is important to know with whom we are interacting on these networks and use them less, prioritizing real encounters. Above all, we must use our time to announce God and His Word.
The Pope acknowledges that maintaining hope in a world marked by injustices, wars, and violence is a great challenge. However, hope is an essential Christian virtue. We must cultivate positive thoughts and trust in better days. If we lose hope, we distance ourselves from the blessings God has for us.
Communication, he affirms, should be done with respect, meekness, and closeness. The communicator must be clear and accessible, especially in the religious environment — for example, a priest must approach the reality of the people so that his message is understood. Good communication does not create illusions but inspires and helps others overcome fears and difficulties.
Hope must be cultivated in community. In the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the entire Church is called to live with this expectation of a better world. We are encouraged to visit the Jubilee churches and actively participate in this living of faith.
In the conclusion of the message, the Pope leaves important advice: take care of the heart and inner life, act with meekness, and value real relationships. In times of excessive virtual life, it is common to forget the faces of those around us. We need to communicate with hope, build bridges, and tear down the visible and invisible walls of our time.
These are the main points of the message for the 59th World Day of Social Communications. Let us not fail to communicate truly with others. Let us use technology wisely and always with the purpose of announcing the hope that springs from the Risen Christ.
Read the full message at the link:
Sr. Eliana Aparecida dos Santos
International Commission of Communication (CIC)
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