'Put down those smartphones!' pope tells bishops

Image
AFP Vatican City
Last Updated : Nov 08 2017 | 6:28 PM IST
Pope Francis took snap-happy bishops, priests and pilgrims to task today, telling them mass was a time for prayer, not an opportunity to whip out camera phones.
"At a certain point the priest leading the ceremony says 'lift up our hearts'. He doesn't say 'lift up our mobile phones to take photographs'," he chastised those gathered in Saint Peter's square for his weekly audience.
"It's so sad when I'm celebrating mass here or inside the basilica and I see lots of phones held up -- not just by the faithful, but also by priests and bishops! Please!"
The 80-year old Argentine pontiff is no stranger to the world of social media, boasting over 14 million followers on his English-language Twitter account alone, and often posing for selfies with enthusiastic young pilgrims.
But he has a conflicted relationship with mobiles.
In February he told youngsters to get off their cell phones during family meals, warning that the death of face- to-face conversations can have dire consequences for society, even resulting in wars.
He has called the internet, social media and text messages "a gift of God" if used wisely, but has also tried to persuade today's youth to swap their smartphones for pocket- sized bibles.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 08 2017 | 6:28 PM IST

Next Story