SIGNIS World Congress 2026: The importance of Media as a means of communication and evangelization

Rwanda, Kigali is hosting SIGNIS world congress titeled “Digital Communication for Cultural Harmony and Environmental Well-being”. The Congress was opened on August 4 with different solidarity messages, including a message from Pope Leo XIV signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, which was presented by the Apostolic Nuncio of Rwanda, Archbishop Arnaldo S. Catalan.Referring to his Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo said: "online communication is not simply the transmission of information, but the creation of a culture, since it has the power to shape the way people perceive the world and, consequently, profoundly influences the collective conscience."

In his address His Eminence Card. Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali, and the President of Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, referring to the theme of the Congress explained the importance of Media as a means of communication and evangelization. He stressed the need to use media as a means of healing, reconciliation, promoting national unity and solidarity.

Drawing the lesson from 1994, Rwanda Genocide, he pointed out the wrong use of media in the country that contributed to the war. He invited the participants to use the time for the congress to assess the challenges and harm that can be caused by the wrong use of media.