Leo XIV Warns of Social-Media ‘Bulimia’

Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV warned of the danger of social-media “bulimia” and called for people to be kinder in their communications during his weekly general audience in Saint Peter’s Square on Wednesday. The American pontiff expressed concerns about the current societal climate, highlighting the prevalent “violence and hatred” that he believes deeply wounds human dignity.

According to Ansa News Agency, Pope Leo XIV argued that society is not suffering from isolation, but rather from an overload of information. He described the modern condition as one of “hyper-connectivity,” where individuals are “bombarded by images,” some of which are false or distorted. This, he emphasized, leads to a flood of contradictory emotions that overwhelm people.

The pontiff urged the faithful to seek divine intervention to heal communication practices. He stressed the need for honest and prudent communication to prevent harming others with words. Pope Leo XIV concluded by inviting prayers for those who have been hurt by the words of others, emphasizing the importance of compassion in today’s digital age.