Pope urges media workers to use their crafts to foster peace

Published: 2005-01-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Through their crafts of writing, editing or capturing the world on film, media workers must help break down the walls of hostility by fostering peace and understanding among peoples, Pope John Paul II said. In his annual message for World Communications Day, the pope underlined the power of the pen, saying words can "bring people together or divide them," "forge bonds of friendship" or "provoke hostility." The pope's message on the theme "The Communications Media: At the Service of Understanding Among Peoples" was released at the Vatican Jan. 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists. The message's early release was aimed at prompting reflection ahead of World Communications Day, which in most dioceses will be celebrated May 8, the Sunday before Pentecost. The pope said that modern advances in communication have created limitless possibilities for doing good, spreading the Gospel, and "fostering harmony and reconciliation" among people across the world.

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