Pope Francis advises families to talk more instead of using smart phones

Pope Francis has urged families to put aside their smart phones and social media feeds and learn how to talk to one another again.

The Pope of the Catholic Church said in an official statement that the great challenge they are facing today is to learn once again how to talk to one another, not simply how to generate and consume information, the Independent reported.

The 78-year-old said during his annual message for the Catholic Church's World Day of Communications that a child who has learned in the family to listen to others, to speak respectfully and to express his or her view without negating that of others, will be a force for dialogue and reconciliation in society.

The Pontiff added that a perfect family does not exist and they should not be fearful of imperfections, weaknesses or even conflict, but rather learn how to deal with them constructively.