A Vatican communications official has called on Filipino “digital missionaries” to underscore the love of God in their social media postings as they strive to gain followers and become influencers.

In a video message presented in a gathering of Filipino Catholic vloggers and digital influencers in Manila on Friday (November 29), Msgr. Lucio Adrian Ruiz stressed that the concept of online missionary work goest beyond social media popularity.

the secretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication said digital platforms should focus on the sharing the message of faith, promoting solidarity and reaching those who are marginalized or in need of spiritual support.

“In a world where many seek the truth, you are beacons of hope,” the Vatican official said.

He stressed: “Always remember, it is not about how many followers you have but about how much you reflect the love of Christ in what you do and how much you commit to those who are most distant and in need.”

Organized by the Episcopal Commission of Social Communications (ECSC) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and YouPinoy, the gathering if digital influencers was the first such event that took place in the country.

The event was aimed at fostering further collaboration between the institutional church and online missionaries.

Ruiz said digital missionaries should present compassion and authenticity in their online engagements.

“This is the moment to be a Church that goest forth, a Church that embraces new culture and realities. You are an essential part of this missioin,” he stated.

It the same event, Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit, ECSC chair, underscored the significant role of Catholic online influencers in the current digital age.

“The sign of the times are very important and how we respond to it is very crucial and important. So I wish this group would reallly look at the signs and then respond accordingly,” Maralit said.