2023-05-29 18:59:00
May 29, 2023 / 11:59 a.m.
Pope Francis encouraged African children to face the “enormous challenges” facing their continent and become “ambassadors of peace.”
This was expressed when he received a group of African children in audience today on the occasion of Africa Day, the annual commemoration of the founding of the African Union on May 25, 1963.
This Monday, May 29, Pope Francis pointed out that the “dear African land is facing enormous challenges, such as terrorism, corruption, bad governments, massive youth unemployment, migration, intercommunity conflicts, climate and food crises.” .
In this context, the Pope acknowledged, “you may feel powerless and discouraged and tell yourself that the future is bleak and without prospects. But you are young, you carry many talents within, you cultivate great ambitions, you have great dreams.”
Pope Francis expressed his joy at receiving the children accompanied by parents and ambassadors, and assured that “they are the sign of this rich cultural diversity.”
At the same time, he recalled that this commemoration “represents the symbol of the struggle of the entire continent for liberation, development and economic and social progress, as well as for the appreciation and deepening of the African cultural heritage.”
He also invited them to have the audacity to be “‘different’, to bear witness to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, courage, forgiveness, the fight for justice and the common good, love to the poor, of social friendship”.
In addition, the Pontiff urged them to pursue “one of the great challenges of life”: the search for peace.
“You know it well, we are going through difficult times, with our humanity in danger. Not only Ukraine, in Europe, but also all the conflicts and fratricidal divisions that have hit Africa, Asia and the Middle East for years.” “We are in grave danger,” the Pope noted.
Therefore, he urged them to experience peace around them and within them. “Be ambassadors of peace, so that the world rediscovers the beauty of love, coexistence, brotherhood, and solidarity.”
“One of the riches of Africa is the acute intelligence of its young people. May their commitment to studies contribute to the human and integral development of society.”
Pope Francis also spoke of “child soldiers” and asked not to leave them alone, as well as “child victims of all kinds of conflicts.” They “need your friendship” so they “don’t feel rejected and stigmatized,” he noted.
Finally, he recommended that they dialogue with the elderly: “Let yourselves be enlightened by the advice and testimonies of the elderly.” “Dialogue with the roots, with the elderly, with those who came before us, allows us to move forward,” she said.
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