In anticipation of the 44th World Communications Day on May 16, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI has issued a statement titled, “The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word.”

The pope calls on priests to communicate the word of Jesus Christ through use social media, blogs, images, and videos which “alongside traditional means, can open up broad new vistas for dialogue, evangelization and catechesis.” Within the digital world, Pope Benedict XVI reminds priests that they can introduce people to the Church and help followers discover the face of God.

The decision to promote digital means of communication through the Web furthers Pope Benedict XVI as an eco-friendly pontiff. The pope is known to be outspoken on environmental issues calling on the faithful to be good stewards of the land. He suggests that it is a moral obligation to fight climate change and suggests a correlation between peace with the Earth and peace on the Earth.