"Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world. In the search for sharing, for 'friends', there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself," reads the message.
"It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives," the pope said, among other things.
The 45th World Day of Social Communications is being marked on 5 June, on the second day of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Croatia.
Expressing satisfaction with the fact that the pope's journey to Croatia coincided with that international day, the head of the society of Catholic journalists in Croatia, Neno Kuzina, said that this should be an additional reason for spreading the messages the Holy Father would give at events he would attend during his stay in Zagreb on Saturday and Sunday.