Pope Francis Calls on Media Professionals to Combat the Effects of Social Media Overuse, Fight Misinformation, and Foster Unity Through Truthful and Hopeful Storytelling
Pope Francis has issued a stark warning about the dangers of excessive social media use, describing it as a cause of “brain rot.” The pope’s comments came during the Jubilee of the World of Communications in Rome, which saw over 9,000 journalists and media professionals gather from 138 countries, both in person and virtually.
Pope Calls for Hopeful Storytelling Amidst Conflict and Misinformation
In his speech, Pope Francis emphasized the need for journalists to embrace courage and truth in an era plagued by conflict, division, and misinformation. He urged Catholic journalists to become “hope-tellers” through their storytelling, using their platforms to nurture life and inspire hope in challenging times.
The event, which included notable figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and Irish author Colum McCann, underscored the vital role of journalists in safeguarding democracy and truth. Ressa shared her experiences of persecution, while McCann highlighted the power of journalism in today’s world.
Pope Francis also reflected on the sacrifices made by journalists, drawing attention to the 120 media professionals who lost their lives in 2024 while covering conflicts. He noted that many were killed in Gaza, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reporting at least 167 media workers killed in the Gaza Strip between October 7, 2023, and January 25, 2025.
Of those, CPJ confirmed that at least 11 journalists and two media workers were targeted and killed by Israeli forces, including prominent names such as Issam Abdallah, Hamza Al Dahdouh, and Mustafa Thuraya.
In closing, Pope Francis called on journalists and communicators to craft narratives that heal, inspire, and bridge divides, offering hope in a fractured world.
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