Pope Leo XIV warns about new addictions: pornography and internet abuse Pope Leo XIV on Friday warned about new addictions of recent times such as compulsive gambling, betting, and pornography as consequences of excessive internet use. The Holy Father issued his warning in a video message addressed to participants in the seventh National Conference on Addictions, organized in Rome by Italy\u2019s Presidency of the Council of Ministers. In his Nov. 7 message, the pontiff emphasized that in recent times, in addition to addictions such as drugs and alcohol \u2014 which continue to be the most prevalent \u2014 \u201cnew forms have emerged, since the growing use of the internet, computers, and smartphones is associated not only with clear benefits but also an excessive use that often leads to addictions with negative consequences for health.\u201d These addictions, the pope explained, are related \u201cto compulsive gambling and betting, pornography, and almost constant presence on digital platforms. The object of addiction becomes an obsession, conditioning behavior and daily life.\u201d He emphasized that these phenomena are \u201ca symptom of the mental or inner distress of the individual and a social decline in positive values and references, particularly in teenagers and young people.\u201d In this context, he stressed that this time of youth \u201cis a time of trials and questions, of the search for meaning in life,\u201d sometimes marked by drug use, the pursuit of easy money through slot machines, or internet addiction, which demonstrates \u201cthat we live in a world without hope, where there is a lack of vigorous human and spiritual proposals.\u201d Consequently, he lamented that many young people \u201cthink that all forms of behavior are equal, as they are unable to distinguish good from evil and do not have a sense of moral limits.\u201d For this reason, the Holy Father urged everyone to value and encourage \u201cthe efforts of parents and various educational agencies, such as schools, parishes, and oratories, aimed at inspiring spiritual and moral values in the younger generation so that they behave responsibly.\u201d Furthermore, he emphasized that young people \u201cneed to form their consciences, develop their inner lives, and establish positive relationships with their peers and constructive dialogue with adults in order to become free and responsible architects of their own lives.\u201d Pope Leo made a powerful appeal to institutions, the Church, and all of society \u201cto perceive among these young people a cry for help and a deep thirst for life, to offer an attentive and supportive presence that invites them to make an intellectual and moral effort, and helps them to forge their will.\u201d He thus called for a commitment to prevention efforts \u201cthat translates into action by the community as a whole.\u201d He also emphasized the urgency of \u201cboosting the self-esteem of the younger generation in order to combat the sense of insecurity and emotional instability fostered both by social pressures and by the very nature of adolescence.\u201d Finally, he encouraged the formulation of \u201cpractical proposals aimed at promoting a culture of solidarity and subsidiarity; a culture that opposes selfishness and utilitarian and economic logic but which reaches out to others, listening to them, on a journey of encounter and relationship with our neighbors, especially when they are most vulnerable and fragile.\u201d This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Almudena Mart\u00ednez-Bordi\u00fa Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Synod on Synodality members ask \u2018for greater discernment\u2019 of Church teaching on sexuality Healing Broken Families: Pope Francis\u2019 Call For Forgiveness And Faith Pope Francis Warns Against Gossip, Celebrates Family Life In Vatican Christmas Messages Vatican: Italian cardinal entrusted with Ukraine peace mission Pope Francis to bless satellite set to launch his words into space At Synod on Synodality, pope says Church needs new ways for bishops to be \u2018synodal\u2019<\/p>\n