Pope Leo XIV urges families to prioritize face-to-face interactions in Lima

Pope Leo XIV warned on Tuesday that the relentless pull of digital technology is eroding genuine human interaction within families, and he called for greater gender equality as he addressed a gathering of clergy and lay leaders in Lima, Peru. The 84‑year‑old pontiff said modern families are under unprecedented pressure from screens, social media and the expectation that women should shoulder both home and work duties. He urged parents to reclaim “the simple, face‑to‑face moments that build love and trust.” The remarks came during the opening session of a regional conference on family life.

The warning reflects growing concern in the Catholic Church about the impact of the pandemic‑driven shift to online life. Studies in Latin America show that children now spend an average of four hours a day on screens, up from two hours a decade ago, while time spent eating meals together has fallen by 30 percent. The Vatican has long warned that technology can become an “idolatrous substitute” for real relationships, a theme echoed in Pope Francis’s 2021 encyclical *Fratelli tutti*. In recent years, the Church has also taken a stronger stance on gender issues, urging equal participation of women in parish leadership and condemning cultural norms that limit women’s opportunities. Pope Leo XIV’s remarks therefore sit at the intersection of two long‑standing Vatican priorities: protecting the family unit and promoting justice for women.

Family advocacy groups in Peru welcomed the pope’s call, noting that many households struggle to balance remote work, schooling and the lure of devices. The Peruvian Bishops’ Conference said it will launch a series of workshops to help parents set healthy digital boundaries and to train lay ministers in gender‑sensitive pastoral care. Tech companies operating in the region have been invited to a round‑table in November to discuss “responsible design” that safeguards family time. The Vatican has announced that the issues raised in Lima will be included in the upcoming Synod on the Family, scheduled for early 2027, where bishops worldwide will debate concrete measures. Observers say the pope’s intervention could shape policy discussions on education, media regulation and church teaching for years to come.