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Pope Francis calls the Internet a gift from God. No word on videogames

Pope Francis calls the Internet a gift from God. No word on videogames
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – MARCH 19: Pope Francis greets members of the faithful as he makes his way around St Peter’s Square on March 19, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The inauguration of Pope Francis is being held in front of an expected crowd of up to one million pilgrims and faithful who have crowded into St Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets to see the former Cardinal of Buenos Aires officially take up his position. Pope Francis’ inauguration takes place in front his cardinals, spiritual leaders as well as heads of states from around the world and he will…

We all believe the Internet is great. But according to Pope Francis, it may be divine. In a statement released today, the outspoken Pope called the internet a “gift from God,” continuing to prove his mettle as a progressive thinker.

The pontiff has previously expressed openminded views towards homosexuality and atheism, but he is also savvy to yet another aspect of the modern world: computer networks. This is something you wouldn’t expect from a 77-year-old religious leader. He seems to take an existential view of technology, with an emphasis on the global computer network’s ability to connect people for good. “The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity … A network not of wires but of people,” he said.

While Pope Francis did acknowledge that there are some drawbacks, such as the possibility for the web to create echo chambers, and people without access to it being left behind, he continued, saying the drawbacks “do not justify rejecting social media,” adding that he hopes they become calmer, tenderer places.

Pretty sure he was talking about Twitter with that one.

Jason Johnson