Rome, 20 June (LaPresse) – Joy ‘is not to be found in electronic devices, in spending hours in front of a screen or in endlessly scrolling through social media every day’; it “should never be sought through the use of drugs, alcohol abuse, promiscuity, superficial relationships, an obsession with our image or any kind of harmful behaviour” and “nor can it be found in possessions such as wealth, beauty, fame or even health, because one day we will leave all this behind”. “Perfect joy” is found only in the love of God. So said Pope Leo XIV in a message sent on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences, Summer 2026 – United States of America. Prevost, drawing on the teachings of St Francis of Assisi and recalling that this is the year of the 800th anniversary of his death, also emphasises that we are called to be instruments of “peace”, spreading it “to our families, our communities, our countries and the whole world”.
Pope: ‘Social media, drugs and wealth do not bring true joy’
Rome, 20 June (LaPresse) – Joy ‘is not to be found in electronic devices, in spending hours in front of a screen or in endlessly scrolling through social media every day’; it “should never be sought through the use of drugs, alcohol abuse, promiscuity, superficial relationships, an obsession with our image or any kind of harmful behaviour” and “nor can it be found in possessions such as wealth, beauty, fame or even health, because one day we will leave all this behind”. “Perfect joy” is found only in the love of God. So said Pope Leo XIV in a message sent on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences, Summer 2026 – United States of America. Prevost, drawing on the teachings of St Francis of Assisi and recalling that this is the year of the 800th anniversary of his death, also emphasises that we are called to be instruments of “peace”, spreading it “to our families, our communities, our countries and the whole world”.
