To the
young: yes to acceptance and solidarity
Vatican City, 21 September 2014 (VIS) –
Before the end of this Sunday's liturgy, Francis greeted those present from
Albania and other neighbouring countries to thank them for their presence and
for their witness of faith, and addressed the young in particular. “They say
that Albania is the youngest country in Europe”, he commented, smiling, and
invited them to “confirm [their] existence in Jesus Christ”.
“He who builds on Christ builds on rock,
because He is always faithful, even if we sometimes lack faith”, continued the
Holy Father. “Jesus knows us better than anyone else; when we sin, He does not
condemn us but rather says to us, 'Go and sin no more'. Dear young people, you
are the new generation of Albania, the future of your homeland. With the power
of the Gospel and the example of your antecedents and the martyrs, know how to
say 'No' to the idolatry of money, 'No' to the false freedom of individualism,
'No' to addiction and to violence; say 'Yes' to a culture of encounter and of
solidarity, 'Yes' to the beauty that is inseparable from the good and the true;
'Yes' to a life lived with great enthusiasm and at the same time faithful in
little things. In this way, you will build a better Albania and a better
world”.
Before the Angelus prayer, the Pope invoked
the Virgin Mary, venerated in Albania above all as “Our Lady of Good Counsel”.
“I stand before her, spiritually, at her Shrine in Scutari, so dear to you, and
to her I entrust the entire Church in Albania and all the people of this
country, especially families, children and the elderly, who are the living
memory of the people. May Our Lady guide you to walk together with God towards
the hope that never disappoints”.
© VIS, Vatican Information Service
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