April 26, 2010. Benedict XVI met with the participants in the ‘Digital Witnesses’ congress, which analyses the new era of digital information. Italian bishops organized the conference. 



The meeting with the pope reflected on the Church’s presence in the digital world.
 
Benedict XVI
“The media can have a civilizing effect not only when thanks to technological development, they increase the possibilities of communicating, but above all when they are geared towards a vision of the person and the common good that reflects truly universal values.”

Benedict XVI noted that new media can help transmit the Church’s message so that it can reach as many people as possible.

Benedict XVI
“The task of all believers who work in the media is that of opening the door to new forms of encounter, maintaining the quality of human interaction, and showing concern for individuals and their genuine spiritual needs. They can thus help the men and women of our digital age to sense the Lord’s presence.”

Several L’Aquila residents who were affected by the deadly 2009 earthquake also attended the congress. They was part of a pilgrimage organized by the city’s Office for Social Communications.

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