Pope Francis I: The Digital Shepherd—Why His Voice Matters in Tech and Gaming

Pope Francis I and his influence

As a former seminarian with a degree in classical philosophy, now a husband and father, I often find myself reflecting on how the Church meets the world where it is. In the age of smartphones, social media, and video games, even the Vatican has had to reckon with digital culture. Pope Francis I, who passed away in April 2025, leaves behind a legacy that is surprisingly relevant to technology and gaming—one that speaks to parents, philosophers, and digital natives alike.

Let’s explore seven key ways Pope Francis has shaped the conversation about technology and video games, drawing from his encyclicals, speeches, and actions.

1. Ethical Use of Technology: Serving Humanity, Not Replacing It

Pope Francis’s final monthly intention in April 2025 was dedicated to new technology. In his video message, he urged, “How I would wish for us to focus less on [screens] and look each other in the eyes more”. He acknowledged that technology is “a product of the intelligence that God has bestowed upon us,” but he warned that it must be used wisely—serving to unite, not divide.

He cautioned against technology that “serves only a select few while leaving others behind,” calling instead for digital tools that assist the poor, the sick, and those with different abilities. This echoes the core message of his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, where he critiques the “technocratic paradigm” and insists that technological progress must be guided by ethical and social considerations.

“Technology is the fruit of the intelligence God gave us. However, if it is not used well, it can produce negative effects.”
—Pope Francis, April 2025

2. Social Media Engagement: The Pontiff as a Digital Influencer

Francis was perhaps the most digitally engaged pontiff in history. He used Twitter (@Pontifex), Instagram, and even launched prayer apps, reaching millions worldwide. On Instagram alone, he had over 5.8 million followers, with each post garnering significant engagement—an average of 198,432 interactions per photo or video.

His social media presence wasn’t just about broadcasting; it was about building community. He encouraged moving “from social network communities to the human community,” reminding us that digital tools should foster real connections. For many Catholics—and even non-Catholics—his tweets and posts became daily sources of inspiration and challenge.

3. Warning Against Tech-Related Isolation

Francis repeatedly warned of the dangers of excessive screen time and digital escapism. In his last prayer intention, he observed, “Something’s wrong if we spend more time on our cell phones than with people”. He worried that the digital world, while connecting us globally, can also isolate us from those physically closest to us.

At World Youth Day in 2016, he famously urged young people: “We didn’t come into the world to vegetate, to take it easy, to make our lives a comfortable sofa to fall asleep on. No, we came for another reason—to leave a mark”. He peppered his homily with tech and social media lingo, warning against retreating into video games and screens as a form of escapism.

4. Technology for the Common Good

Throughout his papacy, Francis insisted that technology should benefit everyone, not just the privileged. He advocated for putting technology “at the service of every person, especially the weakest, and for taking care of the earth”. In his April 2025 prayer, he asked that technology “will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times”.

This concern for the marginalized is a thread running through his encyclicals. In Laudato Si’, he warns that unchecked technological development can deepen social and economic inequalities. The Pope’s message: digital progress must go hand in hand with social justice.

5. Addressing Cyberbullying and Online Hate

Francis recognized the darker side of digital life: cyber bullying and online hate. He cautioned that “the screen makes us forget that there are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry”. He called for empathy and respect online, reminding us that every digital interaction is an encounter with another human being.

This message is especially relevant for parents and educators. As someone raising two sons, I find his words a helpful reminder to teach our children not just how to use technology, but how to use it well and kindly.

6. A Symbolic Connection to Video Games: The Undertale Gift

One of the most unexpected moments in Francis’s relationship with digital culture came in 2016, when YouTuber MatPat presented him with a copy of the video game Undertale. The gesture was more than a quirky headline; it was an attempt to bridge the gap between the Vatican and the gaming community.

Undertale is known for its themes of empathy, mercy, and seeing each “monster” as an individual with a story—a message that resonates deeply with Francis’s own teachings about compassion and understanding5. While we may never know if the Pope played the game, the moment was a symbolic acknowledgment that video games, too, can be vehicles for virtue.

“[Undertale] is the single best representation of where we are as a community.”
—MatPat, The Game Theorists (via Meristation)

7. Encyclicals and Documents: Guiding Principles for the Digital Age

Francis’s encyclicals provide a moral framework for engaging with technology:

• Laudato Si’ (2015): Critiques the “technocratic paradigm” and calls for technology to be used for the common good, with respect for the environment and the poor.
• Fratelli Tutti (2020): Emphasizes social friendship and the need for digital spaces to foster fraternity rather than division.
• April 2025 Prayer Intention: Directly addresses new technology, artificial intelligence, and the impact of screen time, urging that technology unite rather than divide.

These documents challenge us to think philosophically and ethically about our digital choices—a call that resonates with my own philosophical background. You can ready Pope Francis’ encyclicals on this link.

Pope Francis Leaves A Legacy for Digital Parents and Thinkers

Pope Francis’s approach to technology and video games is not about blanket rejection or uncritical embrace. Instead, it’s about discernment—asking how these tools can serve humanity, foster real relationships, and build a more just world.

As a parent, I see the wisdom in his call to balance: to encourage my sons to see technology as a gift, but also to look up from their screens and see the people around them. As a former seminarian and philosopher, I appreciate his insistence that digital progress must be guided by ethical reflection and a commitment to the common good.

In a world where the digital and the spiritual increasingly overlap, Francis leaves us with a challenge: to use every tool at our disposal—not just for entertainment or convenience, but to “leave a mark” of compassion, justice, and authentic connection.

Giancarlo Viterbo

Founder, Chief Editor, and Sales Lead at Gadget Pilipinas | Website

Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.