Pope Francis has praised young people who are trying to protect the Earth’s environment.
ByThe Associated Press
November 21, 2021, 2:20 PM
2 minutes read
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis celebrated Sunday the efforts of young people to protect the Earth’s environment and told them that they should be the critical conscience in society.
Francis celebrated Mass at St. Peters Basilica with hundreds of young faithful to mark a day in the church that focuses on youth in dioceses around the world.
You have been given an exciting, but challenging task,” the pontiff said. To stand tall while everything around you seems to be crumbling,
Francis expressed his gratitude for all the times when you nurture the dream and spirit of fraternity, work for healing the wounds of God’s creation and fight for respect for the dignity for the vulnerable, and spread the spirit and solidarity of sharing and cooperation.
He pointed out that many young people are critical of environmental pollution.
Francis said, “We need this.”
The pontiff said that dreaming is not lost in a world that focuses on present gain.
Francis exhorted young people to be authentic and free, and to have a critical conscience about society.”
His papacy was a strong advocate for social justice and the protection of the environment.
The pope is expected meet with young people from around the world at the Catholic churches jamboree in Lisbon (Portugal) in August 2023.