Pope Francis addressed a question about priests using digital and social media during a gathering of seminarians on Monday, and according to a transcript of the discussion the Vatican released Wednesday, he didn't hold back. The pope said he doesn't use social media because he's too old, but the future priests must use this marvel of science — with limits.
There are dangers in the digital world, including getting lost in the news or listening to music that doesn't allow you to get your work done, and also another danger "that you know well: digital pornography," Pope Francis said. "I'm not going to say, 'Raise your hand if you've had some experience with this,'" the pope assured the seminarians. "But each one of you think about if you have experience or have been tempted with digital pornography. It's a vice that many people have, many lay men and women, and even priests and nuns."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Critics' choice: Three takes on tavern diningFeature A second Minetta Tavern, A 1946 dining experience, and a menu with a mission
-
Film reviews: Warfare and A Minecraft MovieFeature A combat film that puts us in the thick of it and five misfits fall into a cubic-world adventure
-
What to know before lending money to family or friendsthe explainer Ensure both your relationship and your finances remain intact
-
The young converts leading Catholicism's UK comebackIn the Spotlight Gen Z and younger millennials drawn to 'clarity and certainty' in an age of 'perma-conflict'
-
Pope returns to Vatican after long hospital staySpeed Read Pope Francis entered the hospital on Feb. 14 and battled double pneumonia
-
Texas megachurch founder charged with sex crimesSpeed Read Robert Morris, former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, is accused of sexually abusing a child
-
What happens when a pope dies?In The Spotlight Vatican protocol on a pontiff's death is steeped in tradition and ritual
-
Pope Francis suffers setback with respiratory episodesSpeed Read The 88-year-old pope continues to battle pneumonia
-
US Christianity's long decline has halted, Pew findsSpeed Read 62% of Americans call themselves Christian, a population that has been 'relatively stable' for the past five years
-
Pope Francis hospitalized with 'complex' illnessSpeed Read The Vatican says their leader has a respiratory infection, raising new concerns about his health
-
The Aga Khan, billionaire spiritual leader, dies at 88Speed Read Prince Karim Al-Hussaini's philanthropy funded hospitals, housing and schools in some of the world's poorest places
