The Pope Video: For the use of new technologies
In the Pope Video for April 2025 produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis asks us to 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.”
Commenting on the intention for the month Pope Francis remarks, “I would like for us to look less at our 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.”
The International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Father Cristóbal Fones SJ explains that Pope Francis wants to remind us that the responsible use of technology means putting it at the service of humanity and creation. The ethical use of new technologies helps to care for and protect the dignity of human beings and improve lives.
Father Fones reminds us of other advances such as easier access to educational resources online. Also telemedicine/telehealth, software used in healthcare, new diagnostic tools, and software that improves communication and allows us to maintain contact around the world. He comments “Technology can be a powerful tool for addressing global crises such as poverty and climate change.”
Pope Francis urges us to use new technologies responsibly, and to promote their responsible use, so they foster integral human development for everyone and especially the most disadvantaged.
