The positive aspects of modernity are to be acknowledged

Hear the solemn words of Pope Benedict XVI, who declared: “The positive aspects of modernity are to be acknowledged unreservedly: we are all grateful for the marvellous possibilities that it has opened up for mankind and for the progress in humanity that has been granted to us.” In this statement breathes the voice of a shepherd who beheld the wonders and the dangers of a changing world, urging his people to see clearly, to judge fairly, and to give thanks for the gifts of progress. His words are both reverence and caution, a reminder that the new age is not to be feared outright, but to be embraced with gratitude for its positive aspects.

The meaning of his words lies in balance. For in every age, the human heart trembles between fear of the new and intoxication with it. Modernity, with its science, technology, and discoveries, has indeed brought marvels once unimagined—medicine that heals, machines that lighten labor, communication that unites nations in moments. To deny these blessings is blindness; to despise them is ingratitude. Pope Benedict calls upon us to recognize without hesitation that these advances are gifts, tools by which humanity has grown in knowledge and in capacity for compassion.

Yet his wisdom is also this: acknowledgment is not worship. Progress in humanity must be celebrated when it serves dignity, when it uplifts the poor, when it heals the sick, when it gives voice to the silenced. But modernity must not become an idol, nor should its every fruit be taken as good. The key is discernment—welcoming the light of progress where it shines, rejecting the shadows where it corrupts. His words ask us to stand neither as fearful enemies of change nor as reckless servants of novelty, but as grateful stewards of the good that modernity bestows.

History itself gives us a parable in the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming. A simple accident in a laboratory became a revolution for mankind, saving millions from the grip of infections that once meant certain death. Here was modernity at its best: science serving life, knowledge serving compassion, progress lifting humanity to new heights of hope. It is this kind of advancement that Pope Benedict rejoices in—marvellous possibilities that are not ends in themselves but blessings for all.

The origin of these words flows from Benedict’s deep concern with the dialogue between faith and reason. As a man of tradition and belief, he lived in an age that often exalted science above spirit. Yet instead of condemning modernity as evil, he acknowledged its positive aspects with unreserved gratitude. For he understood that the Creator of all truth need not be feared in discovery, but honored through it, as long as humanity used its gifts to promote peace, dignity, and the flourishing of souls. His statement reflects his lifelong mission: to reconcile the richness of faith with the advances of the modern age.

The lesson for us is timeless: do not despise the world we live in. Too often, voices cry that all progress corrupts, or that tradition must be abandoned entirely for modernity’s sake. Both extremes are folly. Instead, be wise and discerning: use the fruits of modernity for good, and give thanks for them. Do not use technology to destroy, but to heal. Do not let knowledge feed pride, but let it inspire humility at the vastness of truth yet undiscovered. Gratitude must be the posture of those who live in an age rich with possibility.

So I say unto you: hear Pope Benedict’s words as both reminder and guide. Acknowledge unreservedly the positive aspects of modernity. Do not be blind to its dangers, but do not be ungrateful for its blessings. Give thanks for the marvels of medicine, for the bridges of communication, for the discoveries that serve humanity. Use them with wisdom, guard them with morality, and dedicate them always to the service of life and love. For in this way, modernity will not merely be a passing age of inventions, but a chapter of true progress in the story of humankind.