Pope Francis Inspires Catholic Communicators to Build a Model of Hope
Recently, Pope Francis addressed the Presidents of Episcopal Commissions for Communications and Directors of National Communications Offices, urging them to come together and create a new model of communication. This model, he emphasized, should focus on spreading hope and mutual understanding rather than division.
In his speech, the Pope stressed the importance of shaping the future through collaborative efforts. He challenged Catholic social communication leaders to evaluate whether their messages truly inspire hope and combat the societal divisions that plague communities.
Telling Stories of Hope
Pope Francis encouraged Catholic communicators to be courageous truth-tellers and to share stories that nourish hope. He emphasized that communicating about the Church is not about following corporate marketing rules but about highlighting the presence of goodness in the world.
The Pope acknowledged the existence of evil but emphasized the importance of countering negativity with stories of resilience and goodness. He urged communicators to ask questions and provide answers that lead to a deeper understanding of the world around us.
A New Model of Communication
The Pope called for a collaborative effort to build a different model of communication that conveys harmony and offers a concrete alternative to the divisive communication prevalent in society. He emphasized the need for a symphonic approach that incorporates various languages and artistic forms to spread messages of hope and unity.
“Communicating is always original. It must convey harmony and propose a concrete alternative to today’s towers of Babel, where everyone speaks but fails to understand each other.”
Building Networks of Goodness
Emphasizing the importance of working together and networking, Pope Francis highlighted the role of communication as an act of love. He encouraged Catholic communicators to reject divisive practices and build networks that uplift communities and restore hope on a daily basis.
The Pope also cautioned against idolizing technology and stressed the need to prioritize human wisdom and discernment over artificial intelligence in communication efforts.
Letting the Lord Come Out
Pope Francis reminded the audience that the power to communicate effectively lies in collective trust in God rather than individual achievements. He urged communicators to focus on building a narrative of hope together and to persevere joyfully in their mission.
Finally, the Pope emphasized the importance of the Church being an outward-facing entity that engages with the broader world, welcoming genuine relationships and testimonies. He concluded by stating, “Catholic communication is not just for Catholics. We must let the Lord come out.”
“Many times the Lord knocks from within so that we, Christians, let him come out. We must let the Lord come out and not enslave him for our own purposes.”
