Pope advises Catholic media: Amplify voices of reconciliation

Source: Vatican Media

In a world marked by divisions and by the emergence of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo XIV encouraged those who work in Catholic media 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, January 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 gathering of the Days of St Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, which is taking place in Lourdes from January 21-23. Every year the Federation organizes this event, which brings together journalists from all over the world to reflect on the mission of Catholic media and communications.

Pope Leo emphasized the need for journalists to focus on good relationships and draw close to others "without excluding anyone."

Catholic media can offer the service of truth to everyone - "even those who do not believe," he said.

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 said 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 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."

LINK

Fédération des Médias Catholiques: www.medias-catholiques.fr/