World Communication Day: Use Media To Foster Unity, Pope Urges Media Practitioners 

The Catholic pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has urged media practitioners to use communication as a tool to foster hope, unity and human dignity.

Speaking through Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Rev Father Ikokwu Onwuchekwa, to mark this year’s World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV harped on the need to combat aggression and polarization.

The Catholic pontiff highlighted the need of what he called atomization of interests that will reduce dominance, competition that often weakens community foundation.

Speaking on the theme, “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts”, the newly elected Pope noted that, “focus on competition, opposition and a desire for dominance hinder collaboration for the common good.”

According to him, “the message calls for Christians to live out of the Gospel in a credible way, radiating the hope of Christ through their actions and words, even in challenging times.”

The pontiff maintained that human communication is capable of fostering companionship, speaking to the heart and inspiring openness and friendship.

He urged the media practitioners to jettison the negative effects of technology and use their craft to heal hearts and give succour by consistently spreading hope rather than division.

Highlights of the church programme include awards and special prayers offered for media practitioners and other participants.

By: Kevin Nengia