Archbishop calls Irish media North & South to share message of hope

Archbishop Martin, addressing media in front of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh Image CCO

Source: Irish Catholic Media Office

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, today welcomed the annual World Day for Social Communications message of Pope Francis, themed, 'Share with gentleness the hope that is in your heart.' See text below. Archbishop Martin said:

"I welcome the 2025 communications day message published today by Pope Francis on the feast day of Saint Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists. In his short but insightful reflection the Holy Father has specifically tailored his words to inform the mission of the media, as well as for anyone who communicates in the digital space whether in a personal or professional capacity. Underpinning his message is the importance of infusing 'hope' in communications, and this complements our role as pilgrims of hope during the Church's universal celebration of faith in this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.

"In the context of Pope Francis' message, I encourage all working in media and journalism across Ireland to consider reporting and publishing opinion articles that offer hope and positivity to this island. There are so many of such stories around our country, North and South, where people bring joy and hope to others - and these acts exemplify the very best of humanity. Yet oftentimes people comment that news feeds only reflect a sense of despair and negativity. We all know that there are countless real-life stories that counterbalance such anguish and hopelessness. I invite reporters to seek out and give a platform to such uplifting stories during this Year of Hope."

Archbishop Martin continued, "In today's message Pope Francis calls out the damaging effect of toxic commentary in the media which, far from being gentle, is 'characterized by disinformation and polarization ... Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.' As an antidote, Pope Francis provides a clarion call for Christians to take risks for hope 'a hidden virtue, tenacious and patient', while not underestimating the effort involved. In doing so, we can collectively achieve the common good - a society filled with hope and that serves humanity to function as a better place for everyone, especially the vulnerable.

"Pope Francis reminds us that it is not an easy task to be a Christian communicator. However, we are assured that the Lord is with us at all times. Accordingly, we have a responsibility to speak up and explain 'the hope that is within us', and how we communicate 'should be steeped in gentleness and closeness', thus modelling 'the greatest communicator of all time, Jesus of Nazareth'."

Archbishop Eamon concluded, "Always sensitive to our emotional wellbeing and personal life experiences, Pope Francis reminds journalists in a fatherly, caring way, to be mindful not to neglect 'your heart, your interior life'; 'to be meek and never forget the faces of other people'; 'always spread hope even when it is difficult'; to communicate so as 'to heal the wounds of humanity'; to report the spirit of human perseverance when you see it in the most unlikely of places; to promote a 'culture of care, build bridges'; and, to 'tell stories steeped in hope, be concerned about our common destiny and strive to write together the history of our future'."

See also: Pope calls for transformation in the way we communicate: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51580