Vatican chastises bishops who stoke division on social media

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis leads the Regina Caeli prayer from his window at St. Peter's square, at the Vatican May 28, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican urged bishops and high-profile lay Catholic leaders on Monday to tone down their comments on social media, saying some were causing division and stoking polemics that harmed the entire Church.

The appeal was part of a 20-page document by the Vatican's communications department titled, "Towards Full Presence. A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media."