World Communications Day 2025
St. Paul VI established the World Communications Day tradition in 1967. Early papal messages were dedicated to television, cinema, video and even audio cassettes.
But no matter how much media has changed, all 59 messages have had the same underlying purpose: to bring attention to the potential dangers and damage caused by swift technological changes in communications and to find the best ways the new tools can promote truth, hope, joy and human life and dignity.
Carol Glatz
CNS photographer Lola Gomez aims her camera and mobile phone at St. Peter's Basilica May 8, 2025, during the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
The Vatican and most dioceses celebrate the World Day of Communications every year on the Sunday before Pentecost, which falls on June 1 this year.
A message for the celebration was written and shared by Pope Francis before his death April 21. And Pope Leo has shown he shares many of the late pope's hopes, concerns and expectations for the field of communications.
Pope Leo XIV's meeting with representatives of the world's media
Pope Leo made extensive remarks about the world of communications just days after his election when he met May 12 with members of the media from around the world who had come to Rome to cover the conclave.
Speaking to thousands of reporters, radio and television correspondents, photographers and camera operators, Pope Leo asked them to be peacemakers by shunning prejudice and anger in their reporting.
He also called for the release of journalists imprisoned for their work and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of the press.
Pope Francis' World Communications Day Message
For the 59th World Communications Day June 1, 2025, Pope Francis chose the theme, "Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts."
He urged communicators to use their platforms to inspire hope by avoiding aggressive language and rejecting rhetoric that dehumanizes others.
But the world's journalists and communicators also got an extra moment to celebrate and reflect during the Jubilee of the World of Communications at the Vatican, which included an audience with Pope Francis Jan. 25, 2025, the day after the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists.
Jubilee of the World of Communications
The pope, who had been having difficulty reading long speeches, handed his talk to Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communications, during the meeting with journalists in the Paul VI hall.
However, he did speak briefly off-the-cuff telling communicators, "Your work is a work that builds: it builds society, it builds the Church, it makes everyone go forward, provided it is true."
One must be true, the pope said, not just with one's words, but also in one's heart and life.
Catholic News Service in Rome
For 75 years, Catholic News Service Rome has provided up-close news coverage of the Vatican and the papacy. With the support it receives through the Catholic Communication Campaign, its journalists, videographer and photographers covered the recent conclave and election of Pope Leo XIV.
Please consider contributing to the special collection at Mass this weekend or make a donation at any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give.
