“How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!” This is the Holy Father’s desire that he shares in his April video, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network in collaboration with Coronation Media, with the support of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The Holy Father invites us to “use technology to unite, not to divide.” Pope Francis warns us of the risk that technology can replace face-to-face interactions. This can lower the quality of our human relationships. He invites us to find a balance, using technology to foster authentic human connections, rather than replace them with virtual interactions.

The Pope’s prayer intention is an invitation to develop a critical awareness of how we use technology and its effects on our lives and on society. This includes reflecting on our own online habits, promoting a responsible and conscientious use that fosters human integral development.

“Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.” Pope Francis

—

How I would like for us to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!
Something’s wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people. The screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry.
It’s true, technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us. But we need to use it well. It can’t benefit only a few while excluding others.
So, what should we do? We should use technology to unite, not to divide. To help the poor. To improve the lives of the sick and persons with different abilities. Use technology to care for our common home. To connect as brothers and sisters.
It’s when we look at each other in the eyes that we discover what really matters: that we are brothers, sisters, children of the same Father.
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

—

By the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer and the Eucharistic Youth Movement): https://www.popesprayer.va

The Pope Video: https://www.thepopevideo.org/

In collaboration with Vatican Media: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html and with Coronation Media: https://www.coronationmedia.com and with the support of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Dignity https://www.humandevelopment.va/

Follow us:
https://www.facebook.com/clicktoprayen
https://twitter.com/clicktopray_en
https://www.instagram.com/clicktopray
https://www.youtube.com/@thepopevideo