Pope says switch off smartphones to make ‘space for silence’ in Lent

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to switch off their cell phones during Lent to create room for silence and prayer, while also calling Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine as the war approaches its fourth year.

“Let us create space for silence by turning off televisions, radios and cell phones for a while,” the pope said during his Angelus address. “Let us meditate on the Word of God, approach the Sacraments, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who speaks to us in our heart. Let us also listen to one another — in our families, workplaces and communities.”

The pope invited the faithful to view Lent as “a luminous path” of “prayer, fasting and almsgiving,” saying these practices can renew cooperation with God “in the crafting of our lives as a unique masterpiece,” allowing the Lord to “cleanse the stains and heal the wounds of sin” until life reaches “the fullness of love — the only source of true happiness.”

Leo warned that Lent is “a demanding journey,” and that there is “always the risk of discouragement or of being drawn to easier paths to satisfaction, such as wealth, fame and power.” Such temptations, he said, “are merely poor substitutes for the joy for which we were created,” and ultimately leave people “dissatisfied, restless and empty.”

He cited Saint Paul VI’s teaching that penance, “far from impoverishing our humanity,” instead “enriches, purifies and strengthens it,” guiding believers toward a horizon that has “as its aim love and surrender to God.”

The pope also urged care for those on the margins: “Let us dedicate time to those who are alone, especially the elderly, the poor and the sick,” he said, adding that by giving up what is superfluous, “we can share what we save with those in need.”

After the Angelus, Leo turned to Ukraine, marking four years since the start of the war. “Peace cannot be postponed,” he said, calling it “an urgent necessity that must find a home in our hearts and be translated into responsible decisions.”

“My heartfelt thoughts remain focused on the tragic situation unfolding before the eyes of the whole world: so many victims, so many lives and families shattered, such immense destruction, such unspeakable suffering!” he said, adding: “Every war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family.”

He renewed his appeal “that the weapons fall silent,” that “the bombings cease,” and that “an immediate ceasefire be reached,” urging dialogue to be strengthened “to pave the way toward peace.” He invited prayers for “the embattled people of Ukraine” and for all who suffer from war, “that the long-awaited gift of peace may shine upon our days.”

He concluded the Angelus by entrusting the Lenten journey of the faithful to Mary: “We entrust our Lenten journey to the Virgin Mary, our Mother who always assists her children in times of trial.”

This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.