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Herald Malaysia
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Tagle at influencers jubilee: ‘Love cannot be generated by an algorithm'
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged Catholic content creators gathered in Rome for the first-ever Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers to 'be discerning' in how they use their platforms, warning against the spiritual dangers of misinformation and manipulation online. Jul 30, 2025 Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presides over the Mass for the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers on July 29, 2025, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA By Courtney Mares Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged Catholic content creators gathered in Rome for the first-ever Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers to 'be discerning' in how they use their platforms, warning against the spiritual dangers of misinformation and manipulation online. 'You are not only influencers, you are also missionaries,' Tagle said during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on July 29, addressing more than 1,700 Catholic creators from 75 countries who came to the Vatican for the two-day event coinciding with the Jubilee of Youth.'Dear digital missionaries and Catholic influencers: Jesus loves you. Do not doubt him. Accept him as the greatest influence on your life. And through you, may the person of Jesus influence many people, human and digital spaces, so that God's truth, justice, love, and peace may flow to the ends of the earth,' he said. Organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Dicastery for Communication, the jubilee marked a historic first for the Catholic Church: a large-scale Vatican initiative aimed at those proclaiming the Gospel in the digital age. Clergy and laypeople alike, many of them young and active on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, gathered to reflect on evangelization in the digital sphere. Pilgrims could be seen taking selfies under the dome of St. Peter's and exchanging social media handles in the colonnade. 'I've been meeting a lot of people who have content I follow and people who follow me,' 24-year-old American Sophie Chamblee from Indiana told CNA. Chamblee has more than 59,000 followers for her Instagram page, Playground Saints, where she shares cartoon stickers of the saints and posts humorous videos about imaginary conversations between the saints in heaven. 'Everybody here is after the same thing … so we all understand each other in ways that other people can't,' she said. In his homily, Tagle, pro-prefect for the Section for First Evangelization, shared a personal warning about the risks of digital manipulation: a deepfake video of him advertising arthritis medication recently circulated online. 'To influence consumers so that monetary profit may increase, some manufacturers resort to false advertising, even using famous personalities,' he said. 'I discovered videos generated by I don't know who, of me advertising medicine for arthritis.' Tagle, who was considered a papabile in the 2013 and 2025 conclaves, drew criticism ahead of the most recent papal election when a viral video showed him singing karaoke to John Lennon's 'Imagine.' His comments during the homily reflected on the moral complexities of navigating digital fame.'I pose this question: Will we let the water and blood of Jesus poured for love of us to be the true fluid of influence that will wash away all iniquity, falsehood, injustice, prejudice, manipulation, and violence?' Tagle asked the congregation. 'Let the love of God in Jesus and the Holy Spirit prevent various poisonous influences from flowing into human hearts.' Tagle also cautioned against mistaking technological connection for true Christian witness. 'God did not send to us a text message or an email, or a file document. Rather, God sent his Son,' he said. 'Love cannot be generated by an algorithm. Only a divine person with a human heart can love divinely and humanly, effecting profound and enduring change,' he added. As the Mass concluded, the pilgrims received a surprise visit from Pope Leo XIV, who entered St. Peter's to a sea of raised smartphones. Switching seamlessly between Italian, English, and Spanish, the pope emphasized the importance of authenticity and human dignity in digital evangelization. 'Science and technology influence the way we live in the world, even affecting how we understand ourselves and how we relate to God, how we relate to one another,' the pope said. 'But nothing that comes from man and his creativity should be used to undermine the dignity of others. Our mission — your mission — is to nurture a culture of Christian humanism, and to do so together. This is the beauty of the 'network' for all of us.' With artificial intelligence playing an increasingly dominant role in global communication, Pope Leo challenged influencers to examine their witness. 'This is a challenge that we must face: reflecting on the authenticity of our witness, on our ability to listen and speak, and on our capacity to understand and to be understood,' he said. 'We have a duty to work together to develop a way of thinking, to develop a language, of our time, that gives voice to love.' 'It is not simply a matter of generating content but of creating an encounter of hearts,' the pope said.--CNA
Herald Malaysia
30-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope to young pilgrims: 'Your voices will be heard to the ends of the earth
At the opening of the Jubilee of Youth, the Holy Father welcomes young people to St. Peter's Square, inviting them to pray for peace: 'Let us walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ.' Jul 30, 2025 Pope Leo addresses the young pilgrims in St Peter's Square (@Vatican Media) By Fr. Johan PachecoOn Tuesday evening, Pope Leo XIV welcomed young people in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. After the welcoming Mass in St. Peter's Square, which was celebrated by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Pontiff made a few trips round St Peter's Square in the popemobile to greet those present. The Holy Father reminded the young pilgrims that they are 'the salt of the earth, the light of the world.' 'You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world! And today your voices, your enthusiasm, your cries — all of them for Jesus Christ — will be heard to the ends of the earth!' said Leo XIV. 'Today marks the beginning of a few days, a journey, the Jubilee of Hope, and the world needs messages of hope. You are that message, and you must continue bringing hope to everyone,' the Pope emphasized. 'We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope in the world," Pope Leo continued. "Today we are at the beginning. In the coming days, you will have the opportunity to be a force that brings God's grace, a message of hope, a light to the city of Rome, to Italy, and to the entire world. Let us walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ. And our cry must also be for peace in the world. Let us all say together: We want peace in the world! Let us pray for peace.' 'Let us pray for peace,' the Pope invited his listeners, 'and let us be witnesses of the peace of Jesus Christ, of reconciliation — this light of the world that we are all seeking.' After the blessing, the Pontiff wished the young pilgrims a good week in Rome and invited them to gather again on August 2 and 3 for the vigil and Mass of the Jubilee of Youth: 'See you in Tor Vergata.' Archbishop Fisichella: Be Witnesses of the Risen ChristAt the Mass presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, before the Pope's arrival, the Italian prelate reflected in his homily on the day's Gospel: 'The Evangelist tells us very clearly: he tells us, above all, that faith is an encounter — an encounter, however, that we do not begin ourselves.' 'Never be afraid,' Fisichella urged, 'to be witnesses of the Risen Christ, because this is what makes us believers, Christians. Christ is risen and we have seen Him; we believe in Him. But this witness also becomes action.' At the conclusion of his reflection, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization recalled the Pope's words from the previous Sunday: 'To encounter Christ — that is why I await you. To encounter Christ and be strengthened by Him in faith and in the commitment to follow Him with integrity.'--Vatican News
GMA Network
30-07-2025
- GMA Network
120,000 pilgrims gather for Jubilee of the Youth Welcome Mass in Rome
The Jubilee of the Youth, the largest event of the Jubilee Year 2025, officially opened Wednesday with a Welcome Mass at St. Peter's Square, drawing a crowd of some 120,000 young pilgrims from around the world. Presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Mass marked the beginning of a five-day celebration of faith, culture, and community in the heart of Rome. Pilgrims from 146 countries, including a large number from the Philippines, joined together in prayer and song under the hot Roman sun. In a surprise gesture that electrified the crowd, Pope Leo XIV made an unscheduled appearance at the end of the Mass. Riding in the papal jeep, he greeted the cheering pilgrims as he made a joyful loop around the square, waving and blessing the young faithful from every corner of the globe. Photo by: Pia Gonzalez Abucay At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Pope Leo XIV invited the youth to be living testimonies of peace and bearers of the light of Jesus Christ. "You are the salt of the world! You are the light of the world!" Photo by: Pia Gonzalez Abucay His message served as a powerful call for young people to become agents of hope and unity in a world facing uncertainty and division. Photo by: Pia Gonzalez Abucay The Jubilee of the Youth will continue with a series of cultural, artistic, and spiritual events throughout the city. Highlights include reconciliation services at the Circo Massimo on August 1, where over 1,000 priests will hear confessions in multiple languages, and the much-anticipated Prayer Vigil at Tor Vergata on Saturday, August 2. During the vigil, three young people will pose questions to Pope Leo XIV on the themes of friendship, courage, and spirituality. The celebration will conclude on Sunday, August 3, with a Solemn Mass at Tor Vergata, to be presided over by Pope Leo XIV. Attendance is expected to exceed one million, making this a truly historic moment for the global Catholic youth community. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Herald Malaysia
24-06-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Jubilee of Seminarians, Bishops, and Priests gets underway in Rome
More than 6,000 seminarians, bishops, and priests from five continents are in Rome this week to celebrate their jubilee as part of the Holy Year 2025. Jun 24, 2025 Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile at the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for Mass on Pentecost Sunday on June 8, 2025. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA By Victoria Cardiel More than 6,000 seminarians, bishops, and priests from five continents are in Rome this week to celebrate their jubilee as part of the Holy Year 2025. According to the Dicastery for Evangelization, the program, which runs June 23–27, includes prayer, catechesis, concerts, jubilee pilgrimages, Masses, and various meetings with Pope Leo XIV. A welcome event for the seminarians took place Monday at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica at 5 p.m. local time. A community rosary and a concert by Rome's diocesan choir and the 'Fideles et Amati' orchestra, conducted by Monsignor Marco Frisina, were also held. On Tuesday, the seminarians are scheduled to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter's at 8 a.m. local time. In addition, at 11 a.m., they will hear a catechesis by Pope Leo XIV in what will be his first official meeting with seminarians from around the world. The day will conclude with Masses in a number of languages at 6 p.m. in 10 churches in central Rome offered by various bishops. Bishops' day: Communion and faith June 25 marks the Jubilee of Bishops. The prelates have come, according to data from the Dicastery for Evangelization, from nearly 50 countries, including Italy, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, the United States, and the Philippines. At 10:30 a.m., the bishops will concelebrate Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica with Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Bishops, as the main celebrant. Pope Leo XIV will then offer a special catechesis to the prelates, concluding with a joint profession of faith above the tomb of the Apostle Peter. That same afternoon, the Jubilee of Priests will begin with several catecheses organized by language groups, given by bishops in 12 churches in central Rome. On June 26, priests will participate in a jubilee Mass at St. Peter's Basilica celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. the priests are scheduled to make pilgrimages to the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas. The day will culminate with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, with testimonies from a seminarian, a bishop, and a priest. Priestly ordinations at jubilee closing The week will culminate on June 27, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a Mass to be celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Basilica. During the Mass, the pope will ordain 31 new priests from around the world from Italy, India, Sri Lanka, Romania, the Central African Republic, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cameroon, Angola, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, South Korea, Mexico, Uganda, Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.--CNA
Herald Malaysia
27-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope: May every baptized Christian feel called to be a sign of hope in our world
As pilgrims and representatives of the African continent celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV makes a surprise visit and invites everyone to live our faith as a sign of hope in our world. May 27, 2025 Pope Leo XIV takes a group photo with those who attended the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on May 26, 2025 By Devin WatkinsMass was celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday afternoon for Ambassadors of African nations who are accredited to the Holy See, along with several people taking part in the Jubilee pilgrimage. At the end of the Mass, which came a day after the 62nd Africa Day, Pope Leo XIV made an unannounced appearance to greet the delegations and offer his encouragement. In his off-the-cuff remarks, spoken in English, the Pope said the 2025 Holy Year 'inspires us all and invites us all to look for hope, but also to be signs of hope.' 'How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today,' added the Pope. Faith gives Christians strength, he continued, noting that our faith enables us 'to see the light of Jesus Christ in our lives and to understand how important it is to live our faith, not only on Sundays, not only during a pilgrimage, but each and every day'. Pope Leo said faith allows us to be 'filled with the hope that only Jesus Christ can give us.' He expressed his hopes that 'all of us together will continue to walk united as brothers and sisters to praise our God, to recognize that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God, and to place those gifts at the service of others.' The Pope then thanked the Ambassadors and pilgrims for living their own faith in Jesus Christ. He said the group was 'well accompanied' by Cardinal Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences; Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect Emeritus of the (then-) Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; and Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization. In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV invited everyone to join his prayer for the group: 'Thank you, Lord Jesus, and may your name be praised.'--Vatican News
