Synod: Pope tells young people to "be coherent” and not become slaves to the mobile phone
During a meeting with some 7,000 young people, Francis urged them to find themselves as they search what is good, “being on the way” and not “sit on the couch.” For him, "Nowadays, populists are a bit trendy, but they have nothing to do with the people and the way the latter express themselves, in culture, in celebrations, also in celebrations. Populism is the opposite, [it is] closure, 'only us'."
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis on Saturday met some 7,000 young people in the Paul VI Hall, in the Vatican. The latter are in Rome for a special event titled ‘Us for. Unique, supportive, creative’ (Noi per. Unici, solidali, creativi) that is being held on the side-lines of the Synod of Bishops on young people.
In his address, the pontiff reminded his audience that “you are not for sale”, urging them to be “coherent” and not become “slaves to the mobile phone”.
During the meeting, which included testimonies, dances and musical performances, the Pope, answering some questions from young people, welcomed by an applause, said "The Synodal Fathers will provide the answer because if I did I’d be cancelling the Synod. [. . .] The answers,” he added, “must come from all of us, and must especially be answers without fear.”
Francis, speaking extemporaneously, proposed some "orientations". The first one is "finding oneself" when searching for what is good, "being on the way" and not "sit on the couch". In addition, there must be "the coherence of life.”
“When you see an incoherent Church, that reads you the Beatitudes and then falls into the most princely and scandalous clericalism . . . I understand. If you are a Christian, even if you are a priest, even a priest who dances, follow the path of the Beatitudes, not the path of clericalism.” In light of this, "You too must ask yourself: am I coherent?”
“There is the problem of inequality. [. . .] This is question of politics. Jesus said power is service. Power is to become servants of people, not to make them slaves.”
"You young people, you have no price, you are not merchandise at an auction; don’t let yourself be bought, seduced by the ideological colonisations that enslave us. [. . .] Always say this: I don’t have a price, I am free; fall in love with your freedom, the one that Jesus brings."
What is more, "It's true, digital interconnection is fast, it's safe, but if you get used to it you'll end up like a family at the table, each one with a mobile phone, without a real relationship, without concreteness. Every road you take must be real to be safe. If the use of the media takes you away from reality, put it away.”
"Nowadays, populists are a bit trendy, but they have nothing to do with the people and the way the latter express themselves, in culture, in celebrations, also in celebrations. Populism is the opposite, [it is] closure, 'only us'."
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