The Pope receives the Swiss Pastoral Director: walking with young people, awakening hope – Vatican News

(Vatican News Network)On 7 October Pope Francis met with the resident pastoral care officer of the Romance language schools in Switzerland at the Vatican, underlined the importance of accompanying young people and hinted at the vision of ecumenical unity. The Pope applauded their hard work.

Speaking of the fruits of this work, the Pope said: «This is precious because this is not what we read in books: it is the fruit of your presence with the young, of accompaniment, of listening. And you put your prayers in. They took them to the altar. In that silence, many faces, stories, smiles, tears and dreams came to the fore. There too you have found your inner motivation, because your work like this requires a lot of energy, if you do not do it To draw ‘vitality’ from the Lord is to be exhausted ».

The Pope then referred to the Synod four years ago for and with young people and its fruits, including the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Living Christ”. “Whenever one of you walks side by side with two or three young people on the way, listen to them, listen to their disappointments and frustrations, their doubts, and then talk to them about Jesus Christ, wake up”, said the Pope. hearts there is the hope of renewing the experience of the disciples of Emmaus, it does not depend on your talents: it is the living Christ who passes by and the power of his Holy Spirit, but it is your presence that counts, you must be present next to them and be there with them ”.

Another important dimension is ecumenical unity, so that Catholics and Protestants can work together. “What a waste of time we have lost! It is a beautiful thing to work together now … It is a great witness and helps the church to be more united and more committed to the will of the Lord Christ.”

Finally, the Pope encouraged those present to continue on this path.

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