In a video message with its prayer intention for April, the Pope urges technology at the service of everyone, especially those who need it most.
By Kielce Gussie
In April, Pope Francis devotes his intention of prayer to new technologies and the hope that their use “will not replace human relations, will respect the dignity of the person and will help us to face the crises of our time”.
In the world of social networks
In a world flooded with social media and constantly increasing fields of artificial intelligence, Pope Francis emphasizes that “technology is the fruit of intelligence that God has given us”. However, he warns against abusive user – because this can have negative consequences.
For example, the Pope refers to the problems of isolation and the absence of real relationships. He says, “Something is not going if we spend more time on our mobile phones than with people.” Pope Francis provides that the growing use of screens in any form “makes us forget that there are real people behind her who breathe, laugh and cry”. Consequently, cyberbullying and hatred are starting to get worse on social networks.
In addition, technology is a good that should not “only benefit from it while excluding others” because it leads to economic, social, labor, educational and other inequalities.
Technology at the service of humans
To avoid these dangers, the Pope encourages everyone to “place technology at the service of the human person” – like a means of union people, to help those who need them, to improve the lives of patients, to promote a culture of meeting and to protect the planet.
Technology is not supposed to separate man from reality and relationships. Therefore, Pope Francis invites everyone to “look at the screens less” and “look more in the eyes”. The balancing of technology and relationships will allow each of us to “discover what really matters: that we are brothers, sisters, children of the same father”.