Catholic Church Encourages Social Media Fasts During Jubilee Year

The Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year calls for reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth, offering indulgences for acts of faith, including a new practice: fasting from social media. Pope Francis encourages Catholics to abstain from digital distractions, at least one day a week, to cultivate a deeper focus on God and meaningful communication. This marks a shift in the Church’s approach to technology, emphasizing caution over uncritical adoption.

Historically, the Catholic Church has embraced media advancements to spread its message, from Pope Pius IX’s acknowledgment of cinema to Pope John Paul II’s use of the internet as a tool for evangelism. However, Pope Francis has grown increasingly critical of digital media’s impact on society, warning of its potential to distort truth, foster superficial interactions, and prioritize machines over human compassion.

Despite his cautious stance, Francis acknowledges the benefits of technology, like the Vatican’s AI-powered digital replica of St. Peter’s Basilica, launched for those unable to make a pilgrimage. Yet, he emphasizes the importance of direct, heartfelt communication and warns against the societal risks of over-reliance on digital tools.

This call for a social media fast aligns with the pope’s broader efforts to balance technology’s potential with its pitfalls, urging believers to prioritize faith, personal connections, and spiritual discipline over constant digital engagement.

Read the full article on The Conversation.