The 36th Meeting of European Youth promoted by the Taize Community begins today in Strasbourg, France, and will continue until Wednesday, January 1. To mark this occasion, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent a message via his Secretary of State to all those participating in this ecumenical gathering.
Rome joyfully remembers your European gathering which took place last year, and the very beautiful prayer which was an opportunity for thousands of young people to gather with Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Square. Pope Francis is close to you who are now gathered in Strasbourg as well as in the towns and villages of Alsace and Orteneau: a land which has been lacerated by wars which left innumerable victims, but a land which also holds great promise for the building up of and strengthening of the European family. Taking place simultaneously in two countries, your gathering is significant. Europe, which has experienced and still is experiencing difficult moments, needs your commitment, your faith and your courage.
You are gathered together to seek out the visible communion of all those who love Christ. This is the task that you have given yourselves for the gatherings that will take place at Taize during the coming year. You know that division between Christians constitutes a considerable obstacle to the accomplishment of the mission which has been entrusted to the Church and that the credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, 244). The Pope shares your conviction that we can learn many things from one another, since there are many realities that unite us.
The Pope is counting on you, that through your faith and the witness you bear, the spirit of gospel peace and reconciliation may shine brilliantly among your peers. With all his heart, he gives you his blessing to all the young people participating in this year's gathering, to the brothers of Taize, as well as to all the pastors and those who welcome you to Alsace and Orteneau.
Archbishop Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State of His Holiness
Message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
to young people participating in the
ecumenical gathering at Strasbourg
Rome joyfully remembers your European gathering which took place last year, and the very beautiful prayer which was an opportunity for thousands of young people to gather with Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Square. Pope Francis is close to you who are now gathered in Strasbourg as well as in the towns and villages of Alsace and Orteneau: a land which has been lacerated by wars which left innumerable victims, but a land which also holds great promise for the building up of and strengthening of the European family. Taking place simultaneously in two countries, your gathering is significant. Europe, which has experienced and still is experiencing difficult moments, needs your commitment, your faith and your courage.
You are gathered together to seek out the visible communion of all those who love Christ. This is the task that you have given yourselves for the gatherings that will take place at Taize during the coming year. You know that division between Christians constitutes a considerable obstacle to the accomplishment of the mission which has been entrusted to the Church and that the credibility of the Christian message would be much greater if Christians could overcome their divisions (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, 244). The Pope shares your conviction that we can learn many things from one another, since there are many realities that unite us.
The Pope is counting on you, that through your faith and the witness you bear, the spirit of gospel peace and reconciliation may shine brilliantly among your peers. With all his heart, he gives you his blessing to all the young people participating in this year's gathering, to the brothers of Taize, as well as to all the pastors and those who welcome you to Alsace and Orteneau.
Archbishop Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State of His Holiness
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