Pope Francis was admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for treatment on February 14 and every week he received an outpouring of letters from around the world. According to the Italian postal service, the pope has been receiving an additional 150 kilogrammes of mail each day since his hospitalisation! He returned to the Vatican on March 23, after being discharged.
Many of these letters included drawings and small gifts, adding to their weight. These heartfelt messages were delivered to the hospital and ultimately placed in the pope’s hands.
What stands in this digital age, is that so many people of all ages still choose to communicate through traditional handwritten letters—a medium filled with sincerity and a personal touch.
Before the rise of the Internet and the advent of email, postal mail was the most common method of long-distance communication and one of the most affordable ways to stay connected with family and friends overseas. Every handwritten letter, whether in elegant script or rushed handwriting, carried deep affection and longing. The anticipation and excitement of waiting for a letter to arrive remain unforgettable memories for many.
However, with the rapid development of communication technology, shattered geographical barriers and accelerated the speed of information sharing. As technology advanced, traditional communication channels began to disappear in some developed countries.
For example, in Denmark, national postal service, PostNord, announced in 2023 that, due to a 90 per dent drop in letter volume, they would completely end domestic letter delivery by the end of the year, bringing an end to a 400-year tradition. Starting in June, 1,500 public mailboxes across the country will be removed. This decision is expected to impact the elderly and residents of remote areas most, with over a thousand postal workers losing their jobs—a move that could potentially affect both the economy and the social fabric.
Today, real-time communication and livestream technology have become more advanced than ever. With just a smartphone in hand, anyone can connect instantly with the world, whether to keep in touch with loved ones on the other side of the globe, shop online, enjoy entertainment, or even pursue education.
But as communication technology grows more sophisticated, does it truly improve human relationships? The answer is not so simple. We often see families dining together in silence, each absorbed in their own mobile devices, with little real conversation.
This growing dependence on digital communication highlights the importance of not leaving behind those who cannot access or adapt to cutting-edge technology—the elderly, the poor, marginalised groups, and vulnerable communities. We must remain vigilant, ensuring that they do not become unintended victims of this digital age.
Communication technology may offer convenience and connection, but without conscious care and empathy, it risks isolating those most in need of real human touch. SE
