Pope Francis met with a delegation of Catholic teachers and parents of Catholic schools at the Vatican, where he emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of peace and dialogue in educational institutions. The Pope stressed that bullying has no place in schools, as it prepares children and young people “for war and not for peace.” He urged the teachers to “never bully” and to instead cultivate a spirit of compassion, tenderness, and closeness, just as God does.
The Pope drew inspiration from the Christmas season, highlighting God’s pedagogy of proximity, gift, and communion. He emphasized that this pedagogy is rooted in a project of universal fraternity, where the family plays a central and irreplaceable role. Pope Francis also shared an anecdote about the importance of dialogue in families, stressing that family members should talk to each other and not be glued to their cell phones.
The Pope then reflected on the motto of the Jubilee of Hope, “Pilgrims of hope,” and emphasized that good teachers are men and women of hope, who dedicate themselves to a project of human growth with confidence and patience. He urged the teachers to keep their gaze fixed on Jesus, who is the teacher and companion on the journey, and to cultivate a hope that is rooted in reality and sustained by the conviction that every educational effort has value.