Pope Leo: “Preserving Human Voices and Faces”
This Sunday, 17th May 20206, the Church marks the 60th World Day of Social Communications. In his message for this year’s celebration, Pope Leo XIV reflects on one of the most important questions facing society today: how artificial intelligence, digital media and technology are shaping the way we communicate, relate to one another and understand what it means to be human.
Under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” Pope Leo reminds us that every person is unique, sacred and created in the image and likeness of God. In a world where technology can imitate voices, create convincing images and influence how people think and respond, the Holy Father calls us to protect truth, human dignity and authentic encounter.
Pope Leo warns against allowing technology to replace human thinking, conscience, relationships and discernment. At the same time, his message is hopeful. He believes that digital technologies and artificial intelligence can serve the common good when they are used wisely, ethically and in ways that deepen communion rather than isolation.
CLICK HERE to Access Pope Leo’s Message for World Communication Day 2026
Archbishop Eamon’s Reflection on Pope Leo’s Message
To accompany this year’s World Communications Day, Archbishop Eamon Martin has prepared a pastoral reflection resource responding to Pope Leo XIV’s message and exploring what it means for families, schools, parishes, young people and communicators today.
In his reflection, Archbishop Eamon writes:
“Before a person is a profile, a statistic, a screen-name, a consumer, a complainant, or a ‘case’, they are someone created in the image and likeness of God. Their face and voice matter.”
The Archbishop invites all of us to ask important questions about the way we communicate online and offline:
- Are we listening to real voices?
- Are we protecting real faces?
- Are we speaking truthfully?
- Are we allowing technology to serve communion, or are we letting it replace encounter?
Alongside the reflection, a series of resources have been prepared for parishes, schools, youth groups, pastoral councils and faith communities who may wish to reflect more deeply on the theme together.
These include:
- Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications
- Archbishop Eamon Martin’s pastoral reflection
- A Facilitators Resource and Reflection Gathering Guide
- A Session PowerPoint Resource for schools, parishes and groups
The resources provide a simple conversational and prayerful format to help communities reflect on communication, truth, discernment, AI, digital culture and the dignity of the human person in today’s world.
CLICK HERE to Access Archbishop Eamon’s Reflection Resource
Resources for World Day for Social Communications Day 2026
Facilitators Resource and Reflection Gathering Guide
https://we.tl/t-LnWdf6uuiKXDdFuR
Session PowerPoint Resource
https://we.tl/t-73UdMfq7eVL9Vqyp
Pope Leo’s Message
We encourage parishes, schools, families and youth groups to make use of these resources over the coming weeks and months as we continue to reflect on how the Gospel calls us to communicate with truth, compassion, wisdom and humanity in an increasingly digital age.