(NewsNation) — The coronavirus pandemic caused millions of Americans to avoid public gatherings and many churches closed to limit the spread of COVID-19, which caused post-pandemic church attendance to drop from 37% to 30% among Catholics.

Bishop Robert Barron, who has more than five million followers on social media, told NewsNation’s “Morning in America” that he aims to build a bridge to bring people to church, so he interacts with people on social media. He added that his approach to Catholic teachings differs from other bishops.

“My strategy has been not so much to work on church programs because the people weren’t coming to church, but to go out to where the people are,” he said. “Word on Fire started doing YouTube videos and podcasts and moving into social media as a kind of bridge.”

Barron said he wants to move into a space where people live, which is why social media has helped him build a large following, especially among younger men, “who are notoriously difficult” to reach.

“I emphasize truth and beauty,” Barron said. “We’ve used and relied upon art, and poetry, and architecture, and painting and sculpture. So, I’ve tried to bring that forward in my presentations of the faith. So, it’s smart, I hope, and it’s beautiful. I think that’s proved appealing to people.”

Barron said religious people need to stop wringing their hands and boldly claim their great tradition because the world has always been hungry for it.