Yesterday afternoon, Pope Francis met with members of the Pontifical Foundation Scholas Occurrentes at the conclusion of their World Congress. The Foundation is an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and religious backgrounds.
The informal meeting, which consisted in testimonials, music, videos and a “question and answer” session between Pope Francis and those present, took place in the Vatican Synod Hall. It took place following a three-day meeting which featured representatives of the Foundation from across the globe gathered in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican to talk about the theme: University and School: Wall or Bridge.
Among the public were personalities like Salma Hayek, George Clooney and Richard Gere.
The meeting aims to mark the beginning of an interactive initiative launched by Scholas Occurentes with the creation of a website, askpopefrancis.scholasoccurrentes.org where it will be possible to ask questions of Pope Francis. This virtual exchange will result in a book, to be published by Mondadori.
During the meeting Pope Francis also received the gift of an olive tree; he autographed surfboards and of course answered questions.
Pope Francis
Thank you for being here. I am happy to greet you and I hope that all of this has not been too boring; but rather that it was a climate of communication, a climate of encounter, a climate of bridge building that unites us and a challenge for our world, a world that is still at risk of individuation and separating us from one another ... and when people are separated, families are separated, friends are separated, and separation can sow enmity, and even hatred. Instead, when we are united, there is social friendship, fraternity; and there is a culture of encounter, that defends us from any kind of culture of throw away culture. Thank you for this, and for all that you do in this regard.
Response of Pope Francis to various questions asked by students
First. I never thought about leaving because of a responsibility ... I'll tell you a little secret: I never thought that they would have elected me. It was a surprise for me ... But from that moment, God has given me peace that has endured until today. This helps me to keep going. This is the grace that I have received. On the other hand, by nature I am unaware, and so we go on.
Look, I believe that building a better world can be summed up in the things we have spoke of here together. Do you agree? That is to say, that every person can be recognized in his or her identity. But we cannot have an identity if we don't belong. Seek always to provide a sense of belonging. One of you asked me: if a boy or a girl does not belong, how is it possible to help? At the very least, offer that person a virtual belonging, so that he or she can feel ... in that way, he or she will have an identity. A person without identity has no future. Therefore it is urgent, it is urgent that we offer a sense of belonging for every person, but that they all feel that they belong to a group, a family, an organization, to something, and this can give them an identity. Identity, belonging.
Another thing: the language of gestures. Strive to develop a language of gestures. Sometimes, we like to talk, to speak ... Sometimes, the language of gestures is different. It is not enough to talk. We risk selling smoke, and this is no good. The language of gestures, sometimes in a hug, a smile ... I liked what you said: This smile can't be touched by anyone! A smile that gives hope, a look in the eyes, gestures of approval, of patience, of tolerance, gestures.
Stop aggressions, bullying - bullying - is an aggression that hides a profound cruelty, and the world is cruel, the world is cruel. Wars are monuments of cruelty.
A Sister from one of the African countries, which is at war, sent me some photographs; I have them here ... They show the cruelty of war. A slain child. A child! Is it possible to understand such bullying? If this is going on (the cruelty of war), how will it ever be possible to stop the bullying? And this same cruelty against a child, a child who in turn can be cruel toward another ... If we sow cruelty. One child massacres another by hitting him in the head, and this is what was going on last month.
Then, to build a new world, a better world, we need to eradicate all forms of cruelty. War is a cruelty. But this kind of war is still more cruel, because it involves the lives of innocent people.
Then, listen to others. The capacity to listen, not to discuss right away, to ask, and this is dialogue, dialogue is a bridge. Dialogue is a bridge. Don't be afraid to talk in dialogue. It's not a matter of playing the part of Saint Lorenzo-Lanús today and seeing eventually who wins. It's a matter of agreeing to the possibilities of going forward together. With dialogue, we all win, no one looses. In discussion, there is either one who wins and one who loses, or both have to forgive one another. Dialogue is meek, the capacity to listen, to place ourselves in someone else's shoes, to build bridges. And during our dialogue, even if I might think otherwise, do not discuss but rather, seek to persuade meekly.
As you can see, all these are behaviours that have emerged from the questions you have asked. And pride eradicates them all. Because pride and arrogance always end up badly. Arrogance always ends badly. So, I answer this question: how can we build a better world? By following this path. Our world needs to lower the level of aggression. It needs tenderness, it needs meekness, it needs listening, we all need to journey together. Otherwise, these other things will happen, even today, because all these attitudes I've spoken of will be missing. I don't know whether I've responded well to your questions.
Parting words
I want to thank all of you for your collaboration, your work and your patience. Let us be mindful of the children throughout the world, with their cultural diversities, various languages, races and religions.
And let us turn toward God with the most ancient blessing, still valid and used in the three monotheistic religions: May the Lord bless you and protect you; may he make the splendour of his face shine upon you and show you his grace; may he reveal his face to you and give you peace. Amen.
Thank you very much for everything, and please pray for me, please, because I need your prayers.
The informal meeting, which consisted in testimonials, music, videos and a “question and answer” session between Pope Francis and those present, took place in the Vatican Synod Hall. It took place following a three-day meeting which featured representatives of the Foundation from across the globe gathered in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican to talk about the theme: University and School: Wall or Bridge.
Among the public were personalities like Salma Hayek, George Clooney and Richard Gere.
The meeting aims to mark the beginning of an interactive initiative launched by Scholas Occurentes with the creation of a website, askpopefrancis.scholasoccurrentes.org where it will be possible to ask questions of Pope Francis. This virtual exchange will result in a book, to be published by Mondadori.
During the meeting Pope Francis also received the gift of an olive tree; he autographed surfboards and of course answered questions.
Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis
for university students
Pope Francis
Thank you for being here. I am happy to greet you and I hope that all of this has not been too boring; but rather that it was a climate of communication, a climate of encounter, a climate of bridge building that unites us and a challenge for our world, a world that is still at risk of individuation and separating us from one another ... and when people are separated, families are separated, friends are separated, and separation can sow enmity, and even hatred. Instead, when we are united, there is social friendship, fraternity; and there is a culture of encounter, that defends us from any kind of culture of throw away culture. Thank you for this, and for all that you do in this regard.
Response of Pope Francis to various questions asked by students
First. I never thought about leaving because of a responsibility ... I'll tell you a little secret: I never thought that they would have elected me. It was a surprise for me ... But from that moment, God has given me peace that has endured until today. This helps me to keep going. This is the grace that I have received. On the other hand, by nature I am unaware, and so we go on.
Look, I believe that building a better world can be summed up in the things we have spoke of here together. Do you agree? That is to say, that every person can be recognized in his or her identity. But we cannot have an identity if we don't belong. Seek always to provide a sense of belonging. One of you asked me: if a boy or a girl does not belong, how is it possible to help? At the very least, offer that person a virtual belonging, so that he or she can feel ... in that way, he or she will have an identity. A person without identity has no future. Therefore it is urgent, it is urgent that we offer a sense of belonging for every person, but that they all feel that they belong to a group, a family, an organization, to something, and this can give them an identity. Identity, belonging.
Another thing: the language of gestures. Strive to develop a language of gestures. Sometimes, we like to talk, to speak ... Sometimes, the language of gestures is different. It is not enough to talk. We risk selling smoke, and this is no good. The language of gestures, sometimes in a hug, a smile ... I liked what you said: This smile can't be touched by anyone! A smile that gives hope, a look in the eyes, gestures of approval, of patience, of tolerance, gestures.
Stop aggressions, bullying - bullying - is an aggression that hides a profound cruelty, and the world is cruel, the world is cruel. Wars are monuments of cruelty.
A Sister from one of the African countries, which is at war, sent me some photographs; I have them here ... They show the cruelty of war. A slain child. A child! Is it possible to understand such bullying? If this is going on (the cruelty of war), how will it ever be possible to stop the bullying? And this same cruelty against a child, a child who in turn can be cruel toward another ... If we sow cruelty. One child massacres another by hitting him in the head, and this is what was going on last month.
Then, to build a new world, a better world, we need to eradicate all forms of cruelty. War is a cruelty. But this kind of war is still more cruel, because it involves the lives of innocent people.
Then, listen to others. The capacity to listen, not to discuss right away, to ask, and this is dialogue, dialogue is a bridge. Dialogue is a bridge. Don't be afraid to talk in dialogue. It's not a matter of playing the part of Saint Lorenzo-Lanús today and seeing eventually who wins. It's a matter of agreeing to the possibilities of going forward together. With dialogue, we all win, no one looses. In discussion, there is either one who wins and one who loses, or both have to forgive one another. Dialogue is meek, the capacity to listen, to place ourselves in someone else's shoes, to build bridges. And during our dialogue, even if I might think otherwise, do not discuss but rather, seek to persuade meekly.
As you can see, all these are behaviours that have emerged from the questions you have asked. And pride eradicates them all. Because pride and arrogance always end up badly. Arrogance always ends badly. So, I answer this question: how can we build a better world? By following this path. Our world needs to lower the level of aggression. It needs tenderness, it needs meekness, it needs listening, we all need to journey together. Otherwise, these other things will happen, even today, because all these attitudes I've spoken of will be missing. I don't know whether I've responded well to your questions.
Parting words
I want to thank all of you for your collaboration, your work and your patience. Let us be mindful of the children throughout the world, with their cultural diversities, various languages, races and religions.
And let us turn toward God with the most ancient blessing, still valid and used in the three monotheistic religions: May the Lord bless you and protect you; may he make the splendour of his face shine upon you and show you his grace; may he reveal his face to you and give you peace. Amen.
Thank you very much for everything, and please pray for me, please, because I need your prayers.
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