Facebook recently released the topics that ranked highest on what people were talking about throughout this past year. For the world list, although unsurprisingly Miley Cyrus was in the top ten, I was shocked, and happily so, that Pope Francis ranked number one.
That’s right. Pope Francis beat out all other topics throughout the year in discussions—at least on Facebook. It made me realize how much of an impact social media can have on the world. If there are that many people discussing the pope, I think that’s good news for Catholics everywhere. He also ranked highly on the list for the United States, although he didn’t earn the top spot.
In speaking about evangelization, Pope Francis said at the most recent World Youth Day in Brazil, “Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent.” Sometimes those “fringes,” or those “farthest away” or “most indifferent” can be right among us—our friends, our family, even. Social media is a way that we can reach out to them in a way that is not overbearing.
I am glad that Pope Francis made the list of topics that people are discussing.
What do you think about the use of social media today? Are you surprised Pope Francis ranked so highly on Facebook? Please share your thoughts!
Footprints on the Journey 