Pope Francis understood how to communicate effectively in the age of social media.
He embraced new apps as opportunities to connect with Catholics everywhere. Although he stopped watching television in 1990, he joined in 2016, quickly gaining 1.4 million followers in under 12 hours. Near the end of his life, he regularly participated in weekly WhatsApp and video calls with a parish located in a war zone of .
Young Catholics found him relatable, partly because the head of the Catholic Church was a soccer enthusiast. He was a lifelong fan of San Lorenzo, a club from his hometown of Buenos Aires, and he had the opportunity to meet renowned Argentine players and Diego Maradona.
Even though his days as a nightclub bouncer (which were true) were long behind him, he still knew how to have fun. He expressed that tango “comes from deep within me” in 2010. In 2014, hundreds of couples it in St. Peter’s Square to show their appreciation for him.
Like many newly famous individuals, Francis needed time to adjust to being in the public eye. In a 2015 interview, he said, “The only thing I would like is to go out one day, without being recognized, and go to a pizzeria for a .” Consequently, the Pope opted for delivery; in 2017, he celebrated his 81st birthday by blowing out a candle on a mozzarella and tomato pizza.
His love for sweets rivaled his love for pizza. Friends from Argentina would bring him , traditional Argentine cookies filled with caramel and dipped in chocolate. In February 2014, he posed with a life-sized chocolate statue of himself made out of . His preferred caffeinated beverage was maté, and he readily accepted a cup whenever it was offered to him.
Social media users particularly enjoyed his photo opportunities. Reflecting St. Francis of Assisi’s love for animals and his role as the leader of over a billion Catholics, a photo of him with a around his neck at a live nativity scene went viral in 2018.
After delivering homilies, Francis was always willing to take selfies, especially with teenagers. Despite once describing the Internet as , he also expressed concerns that social media platforms, intended to connect people, were actually isolating them. In 2018, he stated, “The world of virtual communication is a good thing, but when it becomes alienating, it makes you forget to shake hands.” This is a lesson applicable to people of all ages.
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