Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged “digital missionaries” and “Catholic influencers” gathered in Rome for their Jubilee to ground their mission in Christ, not technology, and allow themselves to be transformed by His love.
To bring salvation, God “did not send us a text message, an email, or a document,” Tagle said during his homily at St. Peter’s Basilica. “God sent his Son, the Word of God who became man, who became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The Cardinal, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, commended the “dedication and enthusiasm” of thousands of Catholic communicators, stressing that their mission must begin with personal conversion.
“Through you, the person of Jesus may influence many people, human and digital spaces,” he said.
Tagle reflected on the meaning of influence, describing life as “a tapestry of crisscrossing influences” that shape “family, neighborhood, school, and government,” but warned against manipulation.
He contrasted false advertising, coercion, and even “powerful persons and nations” who “resort to war” with the transformative love of Christ.
“Jesus is not a face or voice generated by a digital program,” 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.”
Drawing from the Gospel story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, Tagle called them “models for us of a missionary influencer,” transformed by Jesus’ love.
“Dear digital missionaries and Catholic influencers,” he said, “Jesus loves you. Do not doubt it. Through you, may the person of Jesus influence many people, human and digital spaces so God’s truth, justice, love, and peace may flow to the ends of the earth.”
