A Pontificate in the Age of the smartphone

Pope Francis’s death marks a meaningful moment: he is the first Pope to have reigned entirely in the era of smartphones and pervasive social media. This reality has profoundly impacted how the world learned of his passing and how individuals expressed their grief.

Consider the contrast: when Pope John Paul II died in 2005, the iPhone was still two years away from revolutionizing personal communication. While Facebook existed, platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, and TikTok were yet to emerge. The digital landscape has irrevocably changed the way we connect, communicate, and mourn.

The Evolving Landscape of Grief: From St. Peter’s Square to Social Feeds

The immediate aftermath of Pope Francis’s death illustrated this shift. As the bells of St.Peter’s Basilica tolled, those present captured the moment on their phones, a stark contrast to the collective pilgrimage witnessed during previous papal transitions. While crowds did gather, the surge of mourners expected in past times did not fully materialize. Instead,a more fluid coming and going was observed,a phenomenon also noted during pope Francis’s hospitalization earlier in the year.

This change reflects a broader trend. Where once individuals might have flocked to St. Peter’s Square to offer support, many now express their condolences through digital gestures – a thumbs up or a RIP comment on social media. This shift raises questions about the evolving nature of collective mourning in the digital age.

Pope Francis: A Digital Shepherd

Social media was not merely a backdrop to Pope Francis’s death; it was an integral part of his papacy. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who sent the first papal tweet in 2012, Pope Francis embraced digital platforms to connect with a global audience. His words resonated widely, evidenced by the significant following on his various language-specific X accounts. The English-language account boasts over 18 million followers, while the Italian and German accounts have millions more.

The Vatican also actively utilized Instagram, sharing images and videos of the Pope, including his final “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Easter Sunday. This digital outreach allowed Pope Francis to engage with a diverse and geographically dispersed audience, extending the reach of the Catholic Church in unprecedented ways.

Navigating the Perils of the Digital Age

Despite embracing social media, Pope Francis remained acutely aware of its potential pitfalls. He frequently cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and the erosion of critical thinking in the digital age. as recently as January of this year, he urged greater media literacy and the cultivation of critical thinking skills.

It is indeed essential to promote media literacy and critical thinking to navigate the complexities of the digital world.
Pope Francis, January 2025

The Conclave and the Digital Blackout

As the 133 cardinals prepare to enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7th to elect Pope Francis’s successor, they will be cut off from the outside world, including social media. This digital blackout underscores the gravity of the task at hand and the need for focused deliberation, free from external influences.

However, outside the Vatican walls, the world will remain glued to their screens. With many cardinals now maintaining active social media accounts, journalists will be closely monitoring these platforms for any hints or insights into the conclave’s progress. The intersection of tradition and technology continues to shape the narrative surrounding the Catholic Church, even in this moment of transition.