Catholic Fire

It wasn't a regular videochat. Pope Francis simultaneously talked to young people from five continents, all connected at once, thanks to the Internet. This unusual encounter took place during the presentation of 'Scholas.Social,' the first social network for schools. The education project backed by the Pope was launched in the Vatican. During their chat, the young students asked the Pope all types of questions. Cameron, from Australia, wanted to know how Scholas helps bringing people together. Pope Francis answered that sharing experiences is the best way to fight discrimination. Eyal, from Israel, told him that Jews, Muslims and Christians get along well at his school. He also invited him to visit the Holy Land again. But the Pope's best answer was to a Turkish boy who wondered about the future. POPE FRANCIS "I don't have that crystal ball that witches use to foresee the future. But I want to tell you  something... Do you want to know where the f...

The Vatican released Pope Francis' first message for the World Communications Day. In line with the main themes of his pontificate, the focus is on using modern methods of communication to build "authentic encounters.” With the Internet and social networks dominating the way people reach out to others, the message calls on people to go beyond just connecting with each other. MSGR. CLAUDIO MARIA CELLI Pontifical Council for Social Communications "There is an avalanche of communications: messages, sounds, everything. And it's sometimes hard for humankind to decide which of these messages can best serve them in their search for the truth.” The message conveys two central concepts. The first is proximity, or being neighborly, with one another. In his message, Pope Francis uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to explain how it applies to the way we communicate today. He said that, just like the Good Samaritan took responsibility for the wounded person, it is...

(Romereports.com) The Pope asked people to be truthful on social networks, spaces he says are most favorable for dialogue. Now, even though sites like Facebook and Twitter were created as communication tools, users say they're not always used as they should be. “Many people use it to flirt, or to give information about their education or where they work, but it's false, and they want to make themselves more important.” “I think this is about anonymity. If they are anonymous, they can take this things without fear of repercussions.” “Whoever knows me knows everything about me. My name is not on there, I have a nickname. Although my birth date is there.” “Maybe they are addicted to the social network. They just cannot have a real social life. But I have my real social life and the social network is only a part of me.” Benedict XVI knows that the social networks are a meeting point and hence why he himself has joined this virtual space. It helps him increase the Churc...