Pope urges social communication leaders to foster ‘togetherness and networking’ in their mission

Pope Francis addressed social communication leaders from Bishop Conferences worldwide, emphasizing the transformative power of communication as an act of love and a means of building networks of goodness. 

Speaking to the gathered bishops, priests, religious men and women, and lay leaders, the Holy Father highlighted the necessity of working together to communicate hope, combat division, and build a harmonious narrative in a fragmented world.

"Together and network—these two words hold the key to Christian communication," Pope Francis stated. "Only together can we communicate the beauty we have encountered, not because of our talents or resources, but because we love one another."

Reflecting on the Jubilee of the World of Communications, he called for a collective examination of how the Church communicates its message. 

He urged communicators to rise above the influence of corporate marketing and instead embrace prayer, hope, and the Gospel’s poetic power as the foundation of their work.

The pope challenged attendees to ask themselves how their communication efforts sow hope in a world filled with despair and division.

"What do we do to sow hope amid all the despair that surrounds and challenges us?" he asked. "Are we capable of communicating that hope is not an illusion? Is Forgiveness possible? That it is possible to improve the lives of those around us?"

Christian communication, he said, is about revealing that the Kingdom of God is near, and visible even in imperfections when attention is given to others and the world is viewed with hope. 

"The Kingdom of God even comes through our imperfections when we show attention to others and carefully analyze the world around us," he explained.

The pope spoke of the need for Catholic communication to move beyond mere information dissemination and become an "act of selfless love" capable of creating networks of goodness. 

He encouraged collaboration at continental and global levels, urging communicators to foster harmony and offer an alternative to the “towers of Babel” of modern communication.

"Only selfless love can produce networks of goodness," the Holy Father stressed. "These networks of goodness should be regenerated and restored every day, with patience and faith."

He also reminded attendees of the older, deeper meaning of the word "network," connecting it to the fishermen's nets in the Gospel.

"Networking means putting skills, knowledge, and resources into a network capable of providing adequate information and escaping the sea of despair and disinformation," he said.

Pope Francis emphasized that Catholic communication is not an insular activity but a mission rooted in openness, witness, and relationship.

"Catholic communication is not isolated; it is not just for Catholics. It is the open space of a living witness that knows how to listen to and interpret the signs of the kingdom," he noted.

He encouraged communicators to see their work as an opportunity to create a narrative of hope, grounded in trust in God and collaboration with one another. 

"When we feel as if we have fallen into an abyss, we must look up, beyond ourselves. Nothing is lost. We can always start again by trusting in each other and, together, trusting in God," he said.

The Holy Father concluded by urging communicators to go forward with courage and joy in their mission to evangelize and build relationships that reflect the Church's hope and openness. 

"Thank you for your work! Go forward with courage and the joy that comes from evangelizing. I bless you all from my heart and pray for you. And please pray for me too," he said.

With these words, Pope Francis renewed the call for Catholic communicators to be agents of unity, hope, and love, transforming the way the Church communicates its mission in the digital age and beyond.