Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Pope Francis Releases World Communications Day Message

Posted on January 26, 2021 in: News

Pope Francis Releases World Communications Day Message

Pope Francis issued his World Communications Day message on January 23, saying that the risk of misinformation being spread on social media was now widely recognized.

“We have known for some time that news and even images can be easily manipulated, for any number of reasons, at times simply for sheer narcissism,” he wrote. “Being critical in this regard is not about demonizing the internet, but is rather an incentive to greater discernment and responsibility for contents both sent and received.”

His Holiness went on to say: “All of us are responsible for the communications we make, for the information we share, for the control that we can exert over fake news by exposing it. All of us are to be witnesses of the truth: to go, to see and to share.”

Earlier this month a false report that Italian police had arrested the pope amid a Vatican “blackout” was widely shared on the internet, including a Canadian news site.

In his message, the pope also stressed the internet’s positive qualities.

“Digital technology gives us the possibility of timely first-hand information that is often quite useful,” he said. “We can think of certain emergency situations where the internet was the first to report the news and communicate official notices. It is a powerful tool, which demands that all of us be responsible as users and consumers. Potentially we can all become witnesses to events that otherwise would be overlooked by the traditional media, offer a contribution to society and highlight more stories, including positive ones.”

The pope signed the message on January 23, the Vigil of the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of writers and journalists. World Communications Day, established by Pope Paul VI in 1967, will be celebrated in many countries this year on Sunday, May 16. The day will be observed as the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord in places where it is transferred from Thursday, May 13 to Sunday.

In his message, Pope Francis issued an impassioned call to journalists to recommit themselves to “original investigative reporting.”

“Insightful voices have long expressed concern about the risk that original investigative reporting in newspapers and television, radio and web newscasts is being replaced by a reportage that adheres to a standard, often tendentious narrative,” he wrote. “This approach is less and less capable of grasping the truth of things and the concrete lives of people, much less the more serious social phenomena or positive movements at the grassroots level.”

The theme of this year’s World Communications Day, the 55th commemoration, is “‘Come and See’ (Jn 1:46) Communicating by Encountering People as They Are.” The pope quoted approvingly advice that the Spanish Blessed Manuel Lozano Garrido (1920-1971) once gave fellow journalists: “Open your eyes with wonder to what you see, let your hands touch the freshness and vitality of things, so that when others read what you write, they too can touch first-hand the vibrant miracle of life.”

 

He concluded with a prayer:

Lord, teach us to move beyond ourselves,
and to set out in search of truth.

Teach us to go out and see,
teach us to listen,
not to entertain prejudices
or draw hasty conclusions.

Teach us to go where no one else will go,
to take the time needed to understand,
to pay attention to the essentials,
not to be distracted by the superfluous,
to distinguish deceptive appearances from the truth.

Grant us the grace to recognize your dwelling places in our world
and the honesty needed to tell others what we have seen.

 

Click here to read the entire message

 

FCC News Desk


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

'Peace be with all of you': Pope Leo XIV Greets the Faithful and the World, Invoking Peace
Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world with these words at his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Basilica: Greetings to Rome and to the world Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Ris...

Read More

Watch the 2025 Chrism Mass and Homily by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
The 2025 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the blessing of the holy oils—used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders—and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy of the Diocese. We invite you to watch the video of the full Mass, especiall...

Read More

Photos & Video: The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy Ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich
The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy was ordained as the Sixth Bishop of Norwich, Connecticut at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. The gathering filled the cathedral for the Mass of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Reidy, who comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was vicar general. Pope Francis appointed Reidy as Sixth Bishop of Norwich in February.   Click here to see a photo gallery of the Ordination   Click here for more information about Bishop Reidy   Video of the compl...

Read More

Who are the Cardinals Who Chose the New Pope?
Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA   Members of the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome in anticipation of the subsequent election of Pope Francis’ successor, Leo XIV.  There are currently 252 cardinals, 133 of whom are eligible and expected to vote in the conclave. They range in age from 45 to 99.  Pope Francis chose 149 of the current members of the college, most of whom helped choose his successor as cardinal el...

Read More

U.S. Native Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost Elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV
"Peace be with all of you!" - the first words of Pope Leo XIV.   The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. Annuntio vobis gaudium: HABEMUS PAPAM Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romane Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV   I announce to you a great joy: WE HAVE A POPE The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Robert Francis Cardinal...

Read More

Celebrating Our Faithful Servants: Priestly Jubilees of 2025
With gratitude and joy, the Diocese of Norwich extends heartfelt congratulations and prayerful best wishes to the priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination to the sacred priesthood in 2025. These dedicated men have faithfully answered God’s call, each offering years of devoted service to Christ and His Church. Celebrating 65 years of priesthood are Reverend Paul F. Ramen (ordained February 2, 1960) and Reverend John E. Welch, M.S. (May 28, 1960), whose lifetime of ministry continues to inspire. Marking 60 years, Monsignor James Carini (May ...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
FULL TEXT & VIDEO: Pope Leo XIV’s Homily at Mass with the Cardinal Electors in the Sistine Chapel
Inauguration on May 18: Vatican Releases Official Schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s First Days
Calendar of Events

 

'Peace be with all of you': Pope Leo XIV Greets the Faithful and the World, Invoking Peace
Bishop Reidy Welcomes Pope Leo XIV with Prayer and Gratitude

 

A Prayer for Mother's Day
U.S. Native Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost Elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV
Who are the Cardinals Who Chose the New Pope?
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294