PRESERVING HUMAN VOICES AND FACES:MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 60TH WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Photo Credit: Antoine Mekary | ALETEIA
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On January 24, 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV issued a message to mark the 60th World Communications Day, themed “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” In his statement, the Pope emphasized that human faces and voices are unique gifts that reveal personal identity and shape every authentic encounter with others.
He underscored that faces and voices are sacred, referencing Scripture (cf. 1 Jn 1:1–3), which affirms that God communicates Himself to humanity through the voice and face of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Drawing on the thought of Saint Gregory, the Pope noted that God’s love for humanity is imprinted on human faces; therefore, preserving human faces and voices means safeguarding this indelible reflection of divine love. He reiterated that each person possesses an irreplaceable and inimitable vocation, formed by lived experience and revealed through interaction with others.
The Holy Father cautioned that failure to preserve this human dimension risks allowing digital technology to radically alter fundamental pillars of civilization. He observed that artificial intelligence increasingly affects wisdom and knowledge, consciousness and responsibility, empathy and friendship, thereby encroaching on the deeper levels of human relationships.
Pope Leo XIV stressed that the challenge is not primarily technological but anthropological. He warned that algorithms designed to maximize engagement, especially on social media, should not replace or diminish humanity’s capacity to think. The growing tendency to treat artificial intelligence as an omniscient “friend,” he said, inhibits critical thinking and erodes cognitive, emotional, and communication skills. Surrendering imagination and intellect to machines, he added, is tantamount to burying the talents entrusted to humanity for growth in relationship with God and others—effectively hiding human faces and silencing human voices.
The Pope further noted that while technology may simulate reality, excessive reliance on it can deprive people of genuine encounters. He also highlighted the risks posed by biased digital systems, which can perpetuate stereotypes, reinforce inequalities and injustices, lack transparency, and even distort human and Church history.
Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that digital innovation should not be halted but guided by three essential pillars: responsibility, cooperation, and education. Responsibility, he explained, demands honesty, transparency, courage, foresight, and respect for the right to accurate information. Cooperation calls on all stakeholders—families, communities, and institutions—to work together for the common good. Education, he said, must foster critical thinking to promote healthier individuals and societies.
The Pope concluded his message by expressing heartfelt gratitude to all media professionals and communicators who work tirelessly in the service of the common good.
Anita Aryeh,
DEPSOCOM, Accra
