Pope Francis Says The Internet Is Gift From God

Pope Francis today described the internet as a "gift from God," hailing its ability to foster dialogue among disparate groups, though he acknowledged that the speed of social media can make it difficult for users to engage in self-reflection.

Francis made the comments in a statement released Thursday, for the Catholic Church's World Communications Day.

In the statement, the Argentine-born pope said that "unprecedented advances" in technology and digital media have made it easier to engage with people of different religions, thereby "creating a sense of the unity of the human family."

Using the web to communicate with various groups, he added, could help resolve religious, economic, or political differences.

"COMMUNICATION IS ULTIMATELY A HUMAN RATHER THAN TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT."

"The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity," Francis said. "This is something truly good, a gift from God."

He acknowledged, however, that the internet is far from a panacea. The speed and ubiquity of social media threaten to isolate users from their friends and family, he wrote, and those without access to these networks are in danger of being left behind.
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