The Pope told young people on Monday that it is “lawful to rebel” against war when “a few powerful ones” decide on the lives of thousands, adding that if young people and women dominated the world “there would not be so much” . Many wars”.
The idea of a united Europe arose from a strong desire for peace after many wars waged on the continent and led to a period of seventy years of peace,” Francis said in a message to participants in the Youth of the European Union ( EU). Conference taking place in Prague, Czech Republic.
“Now, we must commit to ending this ravages of war, where, as always, a powerful few decide and send thousands of young people to fight and die. In cases like this, it is legitimate to rebel,” he said, after mentioning the war in Ukraine and other conflicts taking place around the world.
For Francis, “If the world was ruled by women, there wouldn’t be so many wars.because whoever has the mission of giving life cannot decide on death”.
Likewise, I like to think that if the world were governed by young people there would not be so many wars; those who have their whole lives ahead of them will not want to stop it and take it away, but rather live it to the fullest,” he added.
The Pope also asked young people to aspire to a “dignified and sober life, without luxuries” and urged that “the consumption not only of fossil fuels, but also of many superfluous things be reduced” so that everyone can live with dignity.
“I know that your generation has good cards to play: they are attentive young people, less ideological, used to studying in other European countries, open to volunteering experiences, sensitive to environmental issues. That is why I feel that there is hope,” Francis said.
The Pope highlighted in his message the World Educational Pact, an initiative launched in 2019 to educate young people in the values of fraternity, as an opportunity for young people to also educate adults in “peaceful coexistence” and to show ” a new face of Europe” based on these values.
“Dear young people, make your voice heard! If they don’t listen to you, shout even louder, make noise, you have every right to have an opinion about what concerns your future. I encourage you to be enterprising, creative and critical,” she said.
On the other hand, Francis warned young people that do not get carried away by “myopic ideologies” that show “who is different as an enemy”, but that “open your eyes, mind and heart” to fight against discrimination.
Along the same lines, he encouraged young people to be more supportive, especially with “those who suffer, regardless of their nationality or social status” and asked them to remember that many Europeans also had to emigrate, like their families.
“I am also the son of Italians who emigrated to Argentina,” the Pope explained.
Francis criticized elite educational environments, considering that “the goal of education is the growth of the person oriented towards the common good” and not to maintain the “status quo”.
Source: Observadora
