VATICAN - The Pope urges families and institutions to “use the media with prudence and wisdom” so the they may provide “opportunities for education, cultural enrichment and spiritual growth”. He also invited those who will be in Rome to a special Vigil of Pentecost in St Peter’s next Saturday evening.

Monday, 24 May 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - From his window on St Peter’s square where he came to pray the “Regina Cæli” hymn with visitors gathered for his Sunday blessing, the Pope spoke about the solemnity of the Ascension which in Italy and some other countries is postponed to the Sunday after Ascension Thursday. He said the feast “reveals that humanity, assumed and redeemed by Christ, has been raised by Him to full communion with God”. He also mentioned that it was World Communications Day for the Church he said the Church watches operators in this vast sector “with attention and affection and is anxious to install with them frank and open dialogue to encourage commitment to promote authentic progress for humanity.”
Reflecting on the theme he chose for this year’s Day, “Media in the Family: a risk and a richness”, the Pope said “thanks to modern technology, many families have the possibility of direct access to the vast resources of communications and information and to draw opportunities for education, cultural enrichment and spiritual growth”. However he also warned of the danger the represent for families, “when they present an inadequate or even distorted vision of life, family, religion and morals.” The Pope stressed the need to learn to use the media “with wisdom and prudence”: this is a duty both for parents, “responsible for healthy and balanced education of their children”, and for public institutions, “called to actuate procedures of regularisation to guarantee that the means of communications always have respect for the truth and the common good.”
After the Marian prayer the Pope mentioned the celebration of the 750th anniversary of the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, and he invoked the intercession of St Francis, patron of Italy, on the whole country. The Pope also invited people in Rome at the moment, in particular members of the Movements of Renewal in the Spirit, to come to St Peter’s next Saturday evening when he will preside special vespers for the Vigil of the great Feast of Pentecost, “to invoke of us and on all the Church a copious effusion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/5/2004 - Righe 26; Parole 349)


Share: