This is the official version provided by the Vatican Press Office of the speech given by Pope Francis during the interreligious meeting with young people at the Catholic Junior College in Singapore on 13 September 2024.
Thank you very much. Thank you for your words.
Three of the words that have been said have struck me: “armchair critics,” “comfort zone,” and “technology” as a duty to use it and also the risk of using it. This is the speech that I had prepared, but now let’s continue [spontaneously].
Youth is courageous and youth likes to go towards the truth, to make its way, to be creative. And youth must be careful not to fall into what you have pointed out: to be “armchair critics”, words and more words. Yes, a young person must be critical. A young person who does not criticize is not on the right path. But he must be constructive in his criticism because there is also destructive criticism; that of someone who makes a lot of criticism, but does not build a new path. I ask all young people, each one: are you critical? Do you have the courage to criticize and also the courage to let others criticize you? Because if you criticize, others also criticize you. This is the sincere dialogue between young people.
Young people must have the courage to build, to move forward and to leave their “comfortable” zones. A young person who always chooses to spend his life in a “comfortable” way is a young person who gains weight. But he doesn’t gain weight in his belly, he gains weight in his mind. That’s why I tell young people: “Take risks, go out! Don’t be afraid!” Fear is a dictatorial attitude that paralyzes you, it causes paralysis. It’s true that young people make mistakes many times, many times, and it would be good for each one of us, each one of you, young people, to think: how many times have I made mistakes? I made mistakes because I started walking and I made mistakes along the way. And this is normal; the important thing is to realize that one has made mistakes. I ask you a question, let’s see who of you can answer me. What is worse? Making a mistake because I have taken a path, or not making one because I stay locked up at home? Everyone, the latter! A young person who doesn’t take risks, who is afraid of making mistakes, is an old man. Do you understand? You have spoken about the media. Today there are many facilities, many possibilities to use the media, the mobile phone, the television. I ask you: is it good to use the media or is it not good? Let’s think: a young person who doesn’t use the media, what is that young person like? Closed-minded. And a young person who lives totally enslaved to the media, what is he like? He is a disordered young person. All young people should use the media, but they should use the media to help them move forward, not to enslave them. Understood? Do you agree or disagree?
One of the things that has impressed me most about you young people here is your capacity for interreligious dialogue. And this is very important, because if you start arguing – “my religion is more important than yours”, “Mine is the true one, but yours is not true” – where does all this lead? Where? Someone should answer, where? [Someone answers: “To destruction”]. And so it is. All religions are a path to reach God. And, I make a comparison, they are like different languages, like different languages, to get there. Because God is God for everyone. And because He is God for everyone, we are all children of God. “But my God is more important than yours!” Is that true? There is only one God, and we, our religions are languages, paths to reach God. One is Sikh, another is Muslim, Hindu, Christian; although they are different paths. Understood? However, interreligious dialogue between young people requires courage. Because youth is the age of courage. But while you might have the courage to do things that would not help you, it would be better to have the courage to move forward and to engage in dialogue.
One thing that helps a lot is respect, dialogue. I’ll tell you something. I don’t know if it happens here, in this city, but in other cities it does. Among young people there is a very ugly thing, which is bullying. I ask you, who is the bravest man or woman to tell me what they think about bullying? ―[some young people respond]―. I like it, each one has given a definition with a different aspect of bullying. But always, whether it is verbal or physical harassment, it is always an aggression. Always. And think, in schools or in youth or children’s groups, bullying is done to those who are weaker. For example, with a disabled boy or girl. And we have seen this beautiful dance here with disabled children! Each of us has our own abilities and also disabilities. Do we all have abilities? [they respond: “Yes!”] And do we all have disabilities? [they respond: “ Yes! ”] Even the Pope? Yes, all, all! And just as we have our disabilities, we must respect the disabilities of others. Do you agree? And this is important; why do I say this? Because overcoming these things helps in what you do, interreligious dialogue. Because interreligious dialogue is built on respect for others. And this is very important.
Any questions? No? I want to thank you and repeat what Raaj told us: he told us to do everything possible to maintain a courageous attitude and to promote a space in which young people can enter and dialogue. Because your dialogue is a dialogue that creates a path, that marks the way. And if you now dialogue as young people, you will also dialogue as adults, as citizens, as politicians. And I would like to tell you something that history teaches us: that all the dictatorships that have existed, the first thing they do is cut off dialogue.
I thank you for these questions and I am happy to meet young people, to meet these brave people, almost “scoundrels”, but they are good! I wish all of you young people to go forward with hope and not to turn back. Take risks! Otherwise, your belly will grow! God bless you and pray for me, I do for you .
And now, in silence, let us pray for one another.In silence.
May God bless us all. And when some time passes and you are no longer young, you will grow up and become grandparents too; teach all these things to the children. God bless you and pray for me, don’t forget! But pray for me, not against!