The Pope: Now on YouTube!

Today Pope Benedict XVI and the Vatican released a flurry of statements and speeches regarding the use of communications media, social networking, and YouTube, all targeted towards the 'digital generation' (that means you and me!).

The Pope gave a challenge to those of us who are born into the 'digital age,' in which social networking, texting and chatting rule the day: he wants us to remember who we are (creatures of God) and what our purpose is (to love God and to bring our love of God to others).

He tells us:

[New communications technologies] respond to a "fundamental desire" of people: the desire to communicate and relate with one another, something rooted in human nature itself.

"When we find ourselves drawn toward other people, when we want to know more about them and make ourselves known to them, we are responding to God’s call -- a call that is imprinted in our nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God, the God of communication and communion," the Pope contended. "[W]hen we open ourselves to others, we are fulfilling our deepest need and becoming more fully human. Loving is, in fact, what we are designed for by our Creator. […] 

"In this light, reflecting on the significance of the new technologies, it is important to focus not just on their undoubted capacity to foster contact between people, but on the quality of the content that is put into circulation using these means."

So when we use Facebook, Twitter, Instant Messaging, or texting, we need to use them to further the mission we are given by God: to love one another as He has loved us! You don't need to be 'preaching' every time you post a status update... but you should never forget who you are in the dizzying world of the Internet.

Will you take up this call? Will your rise to the challenge? I think you could at least try!

The Pope has put his money where his mouth is, and is now posting videos to YouTube! Check out the new Vatican YouTube channel.