Holy Father Pope Francis opened the Pre-Synod meeting, a six-day gathering of young adults from around the world in Rome by asking the young people to be brave and speak freely as they undertake a week of discussions to help prepare for October’s worldwide meeting of bishops on youth. His Holiness Pope Francis encouraged the Church to listen to the young people seriously and highlighted that too often we talk about young people without asking what they (youth) think. Holy Father emphasized that there are those who tend to idolize youth and others who prefer to keep young people at a safe distance rather than allowing them to be the protagonists of their own futures.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis exhorted the young people that “I have faith that in these days God will speak through you. We need to dare to have new sentiments, even if it means taking risks. A man or woman who does not risk does not mature. An institution that chooses not to risk remains a child, it does not grow up. That’s why we need you young people, living stones of a church with a young face. You provoke us to break free of the logic of ‘it has always been done this way,’ which is a sweet poison that tranquilizes the soul.” Citing the Old Testament stories of Samuel, David and Daniel, His Holiness added, “In many moments of the history of the church, like in numerous biblical episodes, God has wanted to speak through the youngest. In difficult moments, the Lord makes the story go ahead with the young people. In difficult moments, the Lord makes the story go ahead with the young people.”
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his remarks by assuring the young gathering that their contribution will be taken seriously.
