For the use of new technologies

“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”. That’s Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of April, which he presents in the Pope Video produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.

The Holy Father starts off with a wish: “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”. He acknowledges that “technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us”. But, he says, “we need to use it well. It can’t benefit only a few while excluding others”. That’s why he insists, “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”.