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Nowadays, there are computer programs to help people do just about anything – from studying a language to finding a job.
There is even applications to pray.
The Vatican recently released its latest version of the “Click to Pray” prayer app. Leaders of the Roman Catholic Church have said they hope “Click to Pray 2.0” will provide people with an improved “prayer experience” in a fast-paced online world.
Earlier this month, seven Catholic leaders held a press conference to demonstrate “Click to Pray 2.0â€. This is the first major update to the app since the launch of “Click to Pray” in 2016.
At the conference, officials showed reporters a video showing the new functions. One is a personal prayer planner. It allows users to plan their prayer time for each day. And then a reminder function tells them to stop, take a break from the rest of the world and pray.
“Praying is not a waste of time, as we sometimes think,†said Father Frédéric Fornos.
He recently spoke to Reuters news agency about the app. He also shared his thoughts on the importance of prayer. “Prayer,†he said, “is like the seed in the darkness of the earth, which will bear fruit in its time. “
The prayer app is available in six western languages ​​and Chinese. This gives users issues to pray about. This allows users to pray with Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. For example, users can pray for peace in any part of the world using the app.
The application also offers a “school of prayer”. It provides support to people who have trouble getting started. The “School of Prayer†can also help people form prayer groups around the world.
An Italian priest in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican praised the new app. Father Cosimo Schena said the app is especially good for people who have lost. These are people who have been out of the church for some time and who may have difficulty returning.
“It’s an extraordinary thing,” the cleric told Reuters, “because he allow allow you to reach people you don’t physically meet. It becomes a bridge to reach those hearts that have sometimes strayed from God. “
Officials said they know the app may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to note, they said, that this app does not replace traditional prayer.
The secretary of the Vatican communications department is Monsignor Lucio Ruiz. He said, “It’s not about invalidate other places or ways of praying. It’s just one more way to reach people who want or need a new way. “
Under Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church increased its presence on social networks. Prayer app is another way the church uses technology to reach people
I am Anna Matteo.
By Philip Pullella reported this story for Reuters News Agency with additional content provided by Antonio Denti. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.
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Words in this story
cardinal -not. high-ranking priest of the Catholic Church
application -not. a computer program that performs a specific job
function -not. the purpose or activity that something (such as an application) does or is used for
reminder -not. something that makes you remember or think of something
wander –V. go in a direction away from a group or where you should be
invalidate –V. weaken or destroy the effect of (something)
presence -not. the state of being seen or noticed in a place or medium where people can see what you are doing
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