Dear Editor,
It is nothing surprising for me when Pope Francis comes up with innovative ways to reach out to people especially with his down to earth message of love and unity. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened TED Talks yesterday and to see him giving his message of unity, love and tenderness. The pontiff has been very creative in his approach to his pontificate by using modern medium to communicate the Gospel message to the world. Hence, I would tend to think that Pope Francis rises to the modern times so that he can reach out to thousands of people in an effective and faster way.
Let me briefly express the message that he delivered to the world on TED Talk. This message fits well with the Season of Easter. Firstly, he emphasised the need for unity and peaceful coexistence. “The future you” is his tagline to convey the message of unity knowing well the atrocities which are done to the people in the world. This message is crucial as he prepares for a two-day visit to Egypt at the end of this week. It is crucial as experts on the country say he will face a series of difficult choices while he’s there. The trip could be one of the most delicate yet of his four-year papacy. For the Pope “unity” has been key factor in his Papacy. As he puts it, our life is not just that that passes by but it comes in contact with many people with peaceful interaction.
Secondly, his message of love is communicated powerfully throughout his papacy. Although, the Pope himself promotes technology, he is well aware that technological innovations have blinded the humanity to see our neighbour who is suffering. We watch the stars and planets orbiting in the far distance but we also need to see people who are orbiting us to seek our help.
Thirdly, his message of tenderness is crucial for our times. He emphasises the use of our eyes and ears to see and listen to the children, the poor and those who are afraid of the future and also to listen to our common home, the mother earth. Tenderness is to use our hands and hearts to comfort others to take care of them.
The message of unity, love and tenderness is important for our modern times irrespective of religions. Although, the Pope speaks as a Christian, this threefold message could apply to every individual and every country in the world, because our issues are similar with variant intensity.
Rev. Jerri Melwin Dias SJ
Diocese of Georgetown
