After a tiring one-day visit to Geneva, His Holiness Pope Francis fielded questions from among approximately 60 journalists on board the return flight. Concern for young people, interfaith marriage, immigration and “just war”, were some of the topics raised. The Pontiff said that concern for “young people” was the predominant topic discussed between him and the President of the Swiss Confederation and members of the World Council of Churches. The pre-Synod meeting in March involving thousands of youth from many religious backgrounds—even non-believers—“aroused special interest”, he said.
As reported by Vatican news, a journalist asked whether the Catholic Church should join other churches in rejecting the “just war theory”. “A commitment for peace is a serious thing”, Holy Father Pope Francis said. “The problem is essentially a human rights issue from which some countries distance themselves. Conflicts should not be resolved like Cain, but through negotiation, dialogue, mediation”, he continued. “Along with churches that promote peace, are there others who promote war?” His Holiness Pope Francis asked. “It is good to remember that there are some groups in almost every religion promoting war, and “there are even some Catholics who always seek destruction”.
His Holiness Pope Francis then spontaneously told the journalists that “in the ecumenical movement, the word proselytism needs to be removed from the dictionary”. The two cannot exist together. “You have to choose”, he said. “Either you have an ecumenical spirit, or you proselytize”.
