The Holy Mass was led by the President of the Council for Media of the Bishops' Conference of BiH, Archbishop of Vrhbosna Msgr. Tomo Vukšić. Concelebrants included the local parish priest, rev. Pero Miličević; the Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of BiH and Editor-in-Chief of the Catholic News Agency (KTA), rev. Bojan Ivešić; the Director and Editor-in-Chief of Radio Maria, father Mato Anić; and the Archbishop's personal secretary, rev. Marin Petrović.

In his introductory remarks, Archbishop Vukšić explained that the Church in BiH dedicates the last Sunday of September to media professionals. He emphasized that this Holy Mass was an opportunity "to pray to God that media professionals might use the means of social communication for the good of others, for dialogue, and for the growth of the Kingdom of God. May this day inspire us to ensure these means are used for evangelization and for the good of every person."

Media and evangelization

In his homily, Msgr. Vukšić spoke about the importance the Church attaches to the means of social communication, noting that very soon after their emergence, the Church recognized their suitability and the genuine benefit they offer for proclaiming the Gospel. Thus, World Communications Day was established within the Catholic Church at the direct proposal and request of the Second Vatican Council, and it has been observed regularly every year since.

"In its internal structure and operations, the Church considers the means of social communication not merely useful, but indispensable tools for spreading the Good News and for evangelization in general—a view further reinforced in recent times by the emergence, capabilities, and challenges presented by remarkable new inventions. Consequently, the use of social communication media is a pastoral obligation for every diocese, parish community and its leadership, and all the faithful; indeed, any failure to utilize and disseminate media for the purpose of evangelization would constitute a serious pastoral shortcoming, or even a sin of omission", emphasized Msgr. Vukšić.

He further explained that while World Communications Day is marked globally in May, it is marked in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of September to ensure greater pastoral visibility. Thus, at the level of BK BiH, the commemoration began in Mostar in 2014 and continued in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tomislavgrad, Žepče, Drvar, Potoci near Mostar, Tolisa, Bihać, Trebinje, Prozor and Prnjavor, and in 2026 in Cim.

"Face and Voice Are Sacred"

He then talked about the message from Pope Leo XIV for World Communications Day, titled Protecting People's Voices and Faces. "Digital technology threatens to fundamentally alter some of the pillars of human civilization that we sometimes take for granted. By simulating human voices and faces, wisdom and knowledge, consciousness and responsibility, empathy and friendship, systems known as artificial intelligence not only encroach upon information ecosystems but also penetrate the deepest level of communication—the level of interpersonal relationships. This challenge, therefore, is not technological but anthropological. Thus, safeguarding faces and voices ultimately means safeguarding ourselves", Msgr. Vukšić said, quoting the Holy Father and explaining that every person's face and voice are sacred "because God bestowed them when He created man in His own image."

He then warned of the challenges technology brings today, urging everyone never to lose sight of the encounter with the other, with whom "we can and must learn to build relationships and friendships."

Finally, he commended all people to God's blessing, "so that they may always know how to make responsible use of the wondrous means of media."

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, the parish priest, rev. Pero, thanked the Archbishop for visiting the parish community, as well as the media representatives and the faithful for their participation in the Eucharistic celebration.

The parish choir animated the Holy Mass with harmonious singing.

World Communications Day is a day when all the faithful in diocesan communities are invited to pray for media professionals and to reflect on the role of the media in their lives, as well as on the message the Holy Father addresses to the world for the occasion each year.