Pope Leo XIV urges educators to recognize digital loneliness

Pope Leo XIV urged educators to recognize the challenges facing young people, including digital loneliness, broken families, and the pressure of a performance-driven culture. Speaking on October 22 to 1,200 participants at an international conference on school and university ministry in Rome, the pope addressed the difficulties students face in modern educational environments.

The conference was organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education under the direction of Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça. During his address, the pope noted that many students feel anonymous in schools and universities. He warned that a misguided meritocracy, which constantly compares and ranks individuals, can fail to respect people and cause them to give up. He also observed that some young people feel paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes or failing to meet expectations.

Pope Leo XIV stated that Catholic schools and universities should serve as a home where students feel known and valued. He described a welcoming environment as one where educators recognize a student's presence, remember their name, and notice when they are absent.