By Charles Igwe
In his message for the 59th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis called on journalists to embrace their role as agents of hope and unity by sharing stories that inspire goodness and communion.
“I dream of a communication that does not peddle illusions or fears but is able to give reasons for hope,” the pope said in his message on January 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists and writers.
He likened the work of journalists to that of gold prospectors who tirelessly search for tiny nuggets, encouraging them to uncover and highlight hidden stories of goodness within the news. “It is good to seek out such seeds of hope and make them known,” he said.
The 2025 World Day of Social Communications coincides with the Jubilee of the World of Communications, a three-day event in Rome that forms part of the Church-wide Jubilee of Hope. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of these events, especially during what he described as “troubled times,” urging media professionals to “tell stories steeped in hope.”
The Pontiff underlined the transformative power of meaningful storytelling, which, he said, can touch people deeply and evoke the best within them. “A good communicator ensures that those who listen, read, or watch can be involved, can draw close, can get in touch with the best part of themselves and enter with these attitudes into the stories told,” Pope Francis explained.
By spotlighting stories of goodness and hope, the pope added, media professionals can make the world feel “a little less closed off and a little less indifferent to others.”
“May you always find those glimmers of goodness that inspire us to hope,” he urged. “This kind of communication can help to build communion, to make us feel less alone, to rediscover the importance of walking together.”
Pope Francis also offered practical advice for journalists to care for their spiritual lives amid the rapid advancements of technology. He urged them to nurture their hearts and their interior lives, emphasizing the value of meekness and genuine human connection.
“Be meek and never forget the faces of other people; speak to the hearts of the women and men whom you serve in carrying out your work,” he said.
The Pontiff also warned against the pitfalls of self-promotion and self-absorption, advising journalists to avoid the temptation to “shout over others in order to make [their] voices heard.”
Pope Francis concluded his message by encouraging all media professionals to align their work with the overarching goal of fostering hope and unity, making a lasting impact in a world yearning for connection and compassion.
