杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis has encouraged Catholic social communication leaders to join forces so that the Church can build 鈥渁 different model of communication鈥� able to sow hope and unity both in the Church and in the broader world.

鈥淚t's up to us to write the future,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 remarked  as he addressed  on Monday Catholic Institutional communicators gathered in the Vatican for the Jubilee of the World of Communication.

How do we communicate hope?

The 杏MAP导航 started his reflection by inviting those present to evaluate whether their efforts truly inspire hope and counteract the 鈥渧irus of division that undermines communities鈥�.

鈥淗ope never disappoints; but do we know how to communicate that?鈥� he asked, reminding them that communicating about the Church is not 鈥渕erely following the rules laid down by corporate marketing.鈥�  Instead, it is 鈥渁bout showing that the kingdom of God is near鈥�  which comes also in the ability 鈥渢o  recognize and spread the hope that goodness exists.鈥�   

This, the 杏MAP导航 stated, is also the vocation of every Christian who is called to share stories of goodness and resilience while recognizing the existence of evil, countering the often negative focus of mainstream journalism.  鈥淓vil exists.  It must not be hidden, but it should stir us and lead us to produce questions and answers鈥�, he said.

Another moment of audience in the Clementine Hall   (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)

An alternative to today鈥檚 towers of Babel

Hence the need for a 鈥渟ymphonic鈥� work that involves everyone, old and young, women and men and takes into account every language, through the use of words, art, music, painting and images.  The 杏MAP导航, therefore, urged  the Catholic communicators to increase their cooperation to build a different model of communication, that, inspired by the Gospel 鈥渃onveys harmony and proposes a concrete alternative to today鈥檚 towers of Babel,鈥� where 鈥渆veryone speaks and does not understand each other.鈥�

Together

The 杏MAP导航 went on to highlight two key words: 鈥渢ogether鈥� and 鈥渘etwork鈥�. He reminded the audience that for Christians communicating 鈥渋s not catchphrases or slogans, nor is it merely writing press releases鈥� but 鈥渁n act of love鈥�. By rejecting divisive communication practices, they can build networks of goodness that uplift communities and restore hope daily.

Network

Regarding 鈥渘etwork, 鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis remarked  that  this word ought to first of all remind us of the fishermen鈥檚 nets and of Jesus鈥� invitation to Peter to become a fisher of men and therefore spur us 鈥渢o put  skills, knowledge and resources into a network capable of providing adequate information and thus escaping the sea of despair and misinformation. 鈥�

While acknowledging the potential of modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, he warned against idolizing technology. Instead, he called for a commitment to using these tools to foster meaningful connections and networks, expressing greater concern for developing "natural intelligence"鈥攈uman wisdom and discernment鈥攐ver artificial intelligence.

We must let the Lord come out

The 杏MAP导航 further reminded the audience that the 鈥渟ecret of their power to communicate鈥� lies in collective trust in God rather than self-promotion or individual achievements. 鈥淚nstead of being seduced by the sterile sirens of self-promotion and the celebration of our own initiatives, let us consider how we can build together a tale of hope", he urged. . Recalling Jesus鈥� miracle with Simon Peter and the fishermen, he encouraged the Catholic communicators to persevere with joy and hope in their mission.

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis reiterated the need for an outward-oriented approach where the Church becomes a welcoming space for genuine relationships and testimony, actively engaging with the broader world: 鈥淐atholic communication is not just for Catholics," he concluded "We must let the Lord come out鈥�