Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholic communicators to ensure digital platforms serve truth and human dignity, according to Vatican News. The remarks were directed at delegates attending the SIGNIS World Congress, which opened this week in Rwanda.
The congress, which is the first of its kind to be held in Africa, brings together Catholic media professionals from more than 40 countries, as reported by ACI Africa. The Pope’s message, covered by Herald Malaysia Online, urged attendees to actively build a culture of truth and peace rather than simply avoid falsehood.
The setting for the congress is notable. According to Herald Malaysia Online, speakers in Rwanda have warned that media holds the power to both divide communities and heal them. That warning carries particular weight in a country where broadcasters played a role in fomenting genocide three decades ago, though the source material does not detail that history directly.
Cisa News Africa reports that the congress also included elections for new continental leadership within SIGNIS, the global Catholic association for communication. The choice of Rwanda as host signals a broader shift in focus toward African perspectives on media ethics and practice.
The Pope’s intervention comes as Catholic communicators worldwide grapple with the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in news outlets. His emphasis on human dignity suggests a framework for journalists and content creators navigating those pressures.
What to watch next: whether the congress produces concrete commitments from member organizations to implement the Pope’s guidance in their home countries.
