"There is a use of hearing that is not real listening, but its opposite: eavesdropping. In fact, an ever-present temptation that today, in the time of the social web, seems to have become more acute, is that of eavesdropping and spying, exploiting others for our own interest ".

These are the words of Pope Francis in his message for the 56th World Communications Day.

"On the contrary - continues Bergoglio - what makes communication good and fully human is precisely listening to who we are in front of, face to face, listening to the other whom we approach with loyal, trusting and honest openness".

Then, a thrust into politics, “where, instead of listening to each other - the Pope explains - often 'we talk about ourselves'. This is a symptom of the fact that consensus is sought more than truth and good; more than listening, we are attentive to the audience. Good communication, on the other hand, does not try to impress the audience with a joke, with the aim of ridiculing the interlocutor, but pays attention to the reasons of the other and tries to grasp the complexity of reality ".

"In reality - the Pontiff specifies - in many dialogues we do not communicate at all. We are simply waiting for the other to finish speaking to impose our point of view".

"The ability to listen to society is more than ever precious in this time wounded by the long pandemic", the conclusion. "So much mistrust previously accumulated towards 'official information' has also caused an 'infodemic', within which one always struggles more to make the world of information credible and transparent ". We need to listen and listen in depth, especially the social unease increased by the slowdown or cessation of many economic activities ".

(Unioneonline / vl)

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