Pope Francis today drew attention to one of the problems of the world that seems closest to his heart: that of unemployment.

The Holy Father has mentioned dozens of times the plight of young people who can’t find work, most recently on his return flight from Poland on Sunday, when he spoke of how fundamentalist groups such as ISIS grow off the disillusion of youth who don’t have hope for the future because they don’t have work.

Today, the Pontiff touched on the problem in light of a popular feast day in Argentina, St. Cajetan’s feast on Aug. 7.

Cajetan was a 16th-century Italian priest who helped the poor, founding among other things, a hospital and a bank. He is recognized as a patron of Argentina, as well as being a patron of the unemployed.

The Holy Father recalled how he lived celebrations of the feast day as archbishop of Buenos Aires: “To greet, to listen and to support the faith of those simple people … and, so often, facing the anguish of men and women that want and seek work and do not find it. I was only able to shake their hands, caress them, look into their tearful pain-ridden eyes, and weep within. Yes, weep, because it is hard in one’s life to come across a father of a family who wants to work and has no possibility to do so.”

The Pope noted how living from the state, or from other charities, is not the same as being able to work for your living.

Related: Pope Tells Workers They Are ‘Social Poets’: Creators, Builders, Producers

“Bread is easier to have because there is always a good person or institution that provides it, at least in Argentina,” he said, but “It is one thing to have bread to eat at home and another to bring it home as the fruit of one’s work. That is what confers dignity.”

The Holy Father concluded by encouraging the bishops to also do their own work: “In this feast of Saint Cajetan, may all of us Bishops be able to accompany our brothers that ask for bread and work. And may we do so with affection, closeness and prayer; and, let us also ask for that grace for ourselves: may work never be lacking, that work to which the Lord sends us and which confers dignity on us.”

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On ZENIT’s Web page:

Full text: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-letter-to-argentinas-bishops-for-feast-of-st-cajetan/

 

 

 

Shortly after taking off from Poland, Pope Francis did not shy away from journalists’ questions on a variety of topics.

During the in-flight Q&A session with press returning to Rome, led by Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, whose official last day before retirement was yesterday, the Pontiff responded to questions about the nature and causes of terrorism in the world and the ongoing crises in Venezuela.

He, of course, also discussed the World Youth Day held in Krakow this week and his impressions of his first visit to Poland, marking his 15th Apostolic Visit abroad, including what he finds special about the Polish people.

During the question session, Pope Francis also responded to questions about the ongoing investigation of how the Church has responded to abuse cases in Australia and also spoke about Panama, where, he announced yesterday, World Youth Day 2019 will be held.

ZENIT will bring our readers a full English translation of the press conference shortly.

This month, with the Olympics starting in just a few days, Pope Francis will be praying that sports will help to bring about world peace.

The Apostleship of Prayer has announced the prayer intentions chosen by the Pope for August.

The Holy Father’s universal prayer intention is: “That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world.”

His intention for evangelisation is: “That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty, and love of neighbor.”

 

Here is a translation of the text of a Letter that Pope Francis sent today to Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo, president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, for the feast, on August 7, of Saint Cajetan (San Gaetano da Thiene), especially venerated in Argentina as “Patron of Bread and Work.”

* *  *

 

 

Vatican, August 1, 2016

H.E.R. Monsignor Jose Maria Arancedo

President of the Argentine Episcopal Conference

 

Dear Brother:

In a few days we will celebrate the feast of Saint Cajetan. Through you, I wish to have my greeting and blessing reach the many men and women who will gather in the different churches of the country dedicated to the Saint, to pray for bread and work or to be grateful for the fact that they have them.

I am moved when remembering August 7 in Buenos Aires – the Mass in the Liniers Shrine and then the long line of people up to the Velez Stadium. To greet, to listen and to support the faith of those simple people … and, so often, facing the anguish of men and women that want and seek work and do not find it. I was only able to shake their hands, caress them, look into their tearful pain-ridden eyes, and weep within. Yes, weep, because it is hard in one’s life to come across a father of a family who wants to work and has no possibility to do so.

We pray to Saint Cajetan for bread and work. Bread is easier to have because there is always a good person or institution that provides it, at least in Argentina, where our people are so solidaristic. There are places in the world that do not even have that possibility. But work is so difficult to obtain, especially as we continue to live moments in which the rates of unemployment are significantly high. Bread solves a part of the problem, but only half of it, because that bread is not the one earned with one’s work. It is one thing to have bread to eat at home and another to bring it home as the fruit of one’s work. That is what confers dignity.

When we ask for work we are asking to be able to sense our dignity and, in this celebration of Saint Cajetan, we pray for that dignity that work confers on us: to be able to bring bread home. That Work, which together with Roof and Land is in the basic framework of Human Rights. And when we ask for work to bring bread home, we are asking for dignity.

The wisdom of our people uses a saying to label one who, though able to work, does not do so: “He lives from above.” And our people scorn those that “live from above,” because, artfully, they perceive in them a certain lack of dignity.

Dear Arancedo: In this feast of Saint Cajetan, may all of us Bishops be able to accompany our brothers that ask for bread and work. And may we do so with affection, closeness and prayer; and, let us also ask for that grace for ourselves: may work never be lacking, that work to which the Lord sends us and which confers dignity on us.

Please, do not forget to pray for me. May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin care for you.

Fraternally,

Francis

[Original text: Spanish]  [Translation by ZENIT]

Sunday evening, during the flight from Krakow to Rome, at the end of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Poland on the occasion of the 31st World Youth Day, he met with journalists on board the plane in a press conference.

Here is a ZENIT translation of the transcription of the conference.

 

* * *

(Father Lombardi)

Holy Father, thank you so much for being with us here, on the return from this trip. Notwithstanding this evening’s storm, it seems to me that everything went very well, that we are all very happy and satisfied with these days and hope that you are too. As usual, we will ask you some questions. However, if you would like to say something by way of introduction, we are at your disposition.

(Pope Francis)

Good evening, and I thank you for your work and your company. I would like to give you, because you are her work companions, my condolences for the death of Anna Maria Jacobini. Today I received her sister, nephew and niece, they were so grieved by this. It’s a sadness of this trip.

Then I would like to thank Father Lombardi and Mauro De Horatis, because this is the last trip they make with us. Father Lombardi has been with Vatican Radio for more than 25 years and then 10 at the Press Office. And Mauro has been in charge of the baggage in the flights for 37 years. I thank Mauro and Father Lombardi very much. And then, at the end, we will thank them with a cake.

And I am at your disposition. The trip is brief. We will do it quickly this time.

(Father Lombardi)

Thank you, Holy Father. We will have the first question asked as usual by one of our Polish colleagues – Magdalena Wolinska of Tvp.

(Magdalena Wolinska – Tvp – Telewizia Polska)

Holy Father, in your first address at Wawel, just after the arrival at Krakow, you said you were happy to begin to know Eastern Central Europe, in fact, with Poland. In the name of our nation, I would like to ask you how you experienced this Poland over these five days? What did you think of it?

(Pope Francis)

It was a special Poland, because it was a Poland “invaded” once again, but this time by young people! From what I saw of Krakow, it is so beautiful. The Polish people are so enthusiastic. Look at this evening – with the rain, along the streets, and not only young people, also little old ladies… It is goodness, nobility. I had an experience of knowing Poles when I was a child: after the War, many Poles came to work where my father worked. They were good people, and this <thought> remained in my heart. I have found this goodness of yours a beautiful thing. Thank you!

(Father Lombardi)

Now we give the floor to another Polish colleague, Urzula Rzepczak of Polsat.

(Urzula Rzepczak – Polsat)

Holy Father, our young people were moved by your words, which corresponded very well to their reality and their problems. But in your addresses you also used words and expressions proper of the language of young people. How did you prepare for this? How were you able to give so many examples so close to their life, to their problems and with their words?

(Pope Francis)

I like to talk with young people, and I like to listen to young people. They always put me in difficulty, because they say things to me that I haven’t thought about or that I have only half thought about — restless young people, creative young people. I like them and learn that language from them. Many times I have to ask: “But what does this mean?” — and they explain to me what it means. I like to talk with them. They are our future, and we must dialogue. This dialogue between the past and future is important. That is why I stress so much the relation between young people and grandparents, and when I say “grandparents” I mean the oldest and not so much the elderly  — But I yes! – to also give our experience, so that they listen to the past, the history and take it up and carry it forward with the courage of the present, as I said this evening. It’s important, important! I don’t like to hear it said: “But these young people say silly things!” We also say many <silly things>! Young people say silly things and good things, like us, like all. But it’s necessary to listen to them, to talk with them, because we must learn from them, and they must learn from us. It’s like this. And thus history is made and so it grows without closings, without censures. I don’t know, it’s like this. So I learn these words.

(Father Lombardi)

Thank you so much. And now we give the floor to Marco Ansaldo of “La Repubblica,” who asks the question for the Italian group.

(Marco Ansaldo — La Repubblica)

Holiness, according to almost the totality of international observers, the repression in Turkey and the fifteen days that followed the coup, was, perhaps, worse than the coup d’Etat. Whole categories were affected: military men, magistrates, public administrators, diplomats, and journalists. I quote data of the Turkish government: there is talk of more than 13,000 arrests, an additional 50,000 persons “sacked” – a purge. Day before yesterday, in face of foreign criticisms, President Recep Tayyip Eerdogan said: “Pay attention to your own affairs!” We would like to ask you: why have you not intervened, have not spoken up to now? Are you afraid, perhaps, that there could be persecutions against the Catholic minority in Turkey? Thank you.

(Pope Francis)

When I had to say something that Turkey didn’t like, but of which I was certain, I said it with the consequences that you know. I said those words  …; I was certain. I have not spoken because I’m still not sure, with the information I’ve received, of what is happening there. I listen to the information that arrives at the State Secretariat, and also that of some important political analysts. I’m also studying the situation with collaborators of the State Secretariat and the situation is still unclear. It’s true, evil to Catholics must always be avoided – and we all do this – but not at the price of the truth. There is the virtue of prudence – this must be said, when and how, but in my case you are witnesses that when I had to say something that concerned Turkey, I said it.

(Father Lombardi)

Now we give the floor to Frances D’Emilio, who is the colleague of Associated Press, the great English language Agency.

(Frances D’Emilio – Associated Press)

Good evening. My question is one that many ask themselves these days, because it came to light in Australia that the Australian Police is investigating new accusations against Cardinal Pell, and this time the accusations have to do with abuse of minors, which are very different from the previous accusations. The question I ask myself, and that many others ask is: in your opinion, what would be the right thing to do for Cardinal Pell, given the serious situation, the very important position and the trust he enjoys on your part?

(Pope Francis)

Thank you. The first news that arrived was confusing. It was information of 40 years ago and not even the Police paid attention to it initially – something confusing. Then all the denunciations were presented to Justice and at this moment they are in the hands of Justice. We must not judge before Justice judges. If I gave a judgment in favor or against Cardinal Pell, it wouldn’t be good, because I would be judging first. It’s true; there is doubt. And there is that clear principle of law: in dubio pro reo. We must wait for Justice and not have a media judgment first, because this doesn’t help — the judgment of gossip, and then? We don’t know how it will turn out. Pay attention to what Justice decides; once Justice has spoken, I will speak. Thank you.

(Father Lombardi)

Now we give the floor to Hernan Reyes of Telam. As we know, he is Argentine and he now represents Latin America in our midst.

(Hernan Reyes)

Holiness, how are you after the fall the other day? We see you are well. This is the first question. The second: last week the General Secretary of UNASUR, Ernesto Samper, spoke of a mediation of the Vatican in Venezuela. Is it a concrete dialogue? Is this a real possibility? And how do you think this mediation, with the mission of the Church, can help to stabilize the country?

(Pope Francis)

First: the fall. I was looking at Our Lady and I forgot about the step. I had the thurible in my hand. When I realized I was falling I let myself fall, and this saved me, because if I had resisted, I would have suffered consequences. Nothing <is wrong>, I’m very well.

The second was? Venezuela. Two years ago, I had a very, very positive meeting with President Maduro. Then he asked for an audience last year: it was a Sunday, the day after my arrival from Sarajevo. However, he then cancelled that meeting, because he was ill with otitis and he couldn’t come. Then, after this, I let some time go by and I wrote him a letter. There were contacts – you mentioned one of them – for an eventual meeting. Yes, with the conditions that are stipulated in these cases. And there is thought of it at this moment, but I’m not sure, and I can assure you of this. Is this clear? I’m not sure that in the mediation group   someone — and I don’t know if the government also, but I’m not sure — wants a representative of the Holy See. This was the case up to the moment I left Rome. But the <individuals> are there. In the group there is Zapatero of Spain, Torrijos and someone else, and it was said a fourth of the Holy See. But I’m not sure about this.

(Father Lombardi)

Now we give the floor to Antoine-Marie Izoard of I.Media, of France. And we know what France is experiencing these days …

(Antoine-Marie Izoard – I.Media)

Holy Father, first of all I express my best wishes to you, to Father Lombardi and also to Father Spadaro for the feast of Saint Ignatius.

The question is somewhat more difficult. Catholics are under shock – and not only in France – after the terrible murder of Father Jacques Hamel in his church, while he was celebrating Mass. Four days ago, here, you said again that all religions want peace. But this holy 86-year-old priest was clearly killed in the name of Islam. Hence, Holy Father, I have two brief questions. When you speak of these violent acts, why do you always speak of terrorists and never of Islam? You never use the word “Islam.” And then, in addition to the prayers and dialogue, which are obviously very essential, what concrete initiative can you undertake or perhaps suggest to oppose Islamic violence? Thank you, Holiness.

(Pope Francis)

I don’t like to speak of Islamic violence because every day when I leaf through the newspapers I see violence here in Italy: one who kills his bride-to-be, another who kills his mother-in-law … And these are baptized violent Catholics! They are violent Catholics. If I spoke of Islamic violence, I should also speak of Catholic violence. Not all Muslims are violent; not all Catholics are violent. It’s like a fruit salad, there’s a bit of everything, there are violent individuals of these religions. One thing is true: I believe that in almost all the religions there is always a small fundamentalist group. Fundamentalists, we have them. And when fundamentalism arrives at killing – but one can kill with the tongue, and the Apostle James says this, not I, and also with a knife – I believe it’s not right to identify Islam with violence. This isn’t right and it’s not true! I had a long conversation with the Great Imam of al-Azar University and I know what they think: they seek peace, encounter. The Nuncio of an African country told me that there is always a queue of people in the capital – it’s always full! – at the Holy Door for the Jubilee: some approach the confessionals, others pray in the pews. But the majority go ahead to pray at Our Lady’s altar: they are Muslims who want to <take part in> the Jubilee; they are brothers. When I was in Central Africa I went to them and the Imam even came onto the pope-mobile. One can coexist well, but there are small fundamentalist groups. And I also wonder how many young people – how many young people, that we Europeans have left empty of ideals, that don’t have work, that take to drugs, to alcohol … go there and enrol in fundamentalist groups. Yes, we can say that so-called ISIS is an Islamic State that presents itself as violent, because when they have us see their identity cards they make us see how on the Libyan coast they cut the throats of Egyptians, or things of that sort. But this is a small fundamentalist group, which is called ISIS.  But we can’t say – I don’t think it’s true or right <to say> – that Islam is terrorist.

(Antoine-Marie Izoard)

An initiative of yours to oppose terrorism, violence …

(Holy Father)

Terrorism is everywhere! Think of the tribal terrorism of some African countries … Terrorism – I don’t know if I should say it because it’s a bit dangerous – grows when there is no other option, when the god money and not the person – man and woman – is a the center of the global economy. This is the first terrorism now. It has thrown out the wonder of Creation, man and woman, and put money there. This is basic terrorism against the whole of humanity. Think about it.

(Father Lombardi)

Thank you, Holiness. As the announcement was made this morning that Panama will be the place of the next World Youth Day, a colleague is here who wants to give you a small gift to prepare you for this Day.

(Javier Martinez Brocal – Rome Reports)

Holy Father, you said earlier, in the meeting with volunteers, that perhaps you might not be at Panama. And you can’t do this, because we await you in Panama!

(Pope Francis, in Spanish)

If I don’t go, Peter will be there!

(Javier Martinez Brocal)

We believe you’ll be there! On behalf of Panamanians, I bring you two things: a shirt with the number 17, which is the date of your birth, and the hat that Panama’s campesinos wear. They asked me to have you put it on … if you wish to greet the Panamanians … Thank you!

(Pope Francis, in Spanish)

Thank you so much, Panamanians, for this. I hope you will prepare yourselves well, with the same strength, the same spirituality and the same depth with which the Poles prepared themselves, the inhabitatnts of Krakow and all the Poles.

(Antoine-Marie Izoard)

Holiness, in the name of my colleague journalists, because I’m somewhat obliged to represent them, I would also like to say two words, if you allow me Holiness, about Father Lombardi, to thank him.

It’s impossible to summarize 10 years of Father Lombardi’s presence in the Press Office: with Pope Benedict, then an unheard of interregnum and then your election, Holy Father, and the subsequent surprises. What can certainly be said is the constant availability, commitment and dedication of Father Lombardi; his incredible capacity to answer or not answer our questions, often strange, and this is also an art. And then, too, his somewhat British humour: in all situations, even the worst. And we have so many examples of this.

[Addressing Father Lombardi] We obviously welcome with joy his successors, two good journalists, but we don’t forget that you, in addition to being a journalist, were and still are a priest and also a Jesuit. We won’t fail to celebrate fittingly in September your departure for other services, but we want to express to you our best wishes already today – best wishes for the feast of Saint Ignatius and then for a long life, of 100 years as they say in Poland, of humble service. Stolat is said in Poland: Stolat Father Lombardi!

[Original text: Italian]  [Translation by ZENIT]

Some 20,000 pilgrims climbed Ireland’s holy mountain on Sunday, Reek Sunday, the day of the annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage.

Archbishop Charles J. Brown, the apostolic nuncio to Ireland, gave the homily for the pilgrimage, assuring that “the path of Christian faith is still alive in Ireland in 2016.”

The annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage has been carried out uninterrupted for more than 1,500 years.

Croagh Patrick has over 100,000 visitors annually, with up to 20,000 making the pilgrimage each Reek Sunday in July.

 

Here are the Archbishop Brown’s homily notes:

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where shall come my help?  My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1).

Brothers and sisters in Christ, from the dawn of history, human beings have been fascinated by mountains.  There is something intangibly mystical, attractive and enchanting about the high places, something profoundly renewing about just being in the mountains.  The American naturalist, John Muir, the father of the American National Park system, famously gave advice to his contemporaries about finding peace:  “Climb the mountains” he wrote, “and get their good tidings.  Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

For Catholic Christians, the mountains are something more than a place of beauty and refreshment and renewal.  The mountains are places where we come in contact with the mystery of God: in the Old Testament, it is on the Mountain of Sinai that Moses encounters the unspeakable majesty of God and receives the Ten Commandments.  In the New Testament, on the new Mountain, the Mountain of the Beatitudes, the disciples of Jesus receive from him the new law of love.

The entire trajectory of Christian life is upwards, we might say.  That might not be as apparent in the English language as in other languages, since in many, if not most languages – though not in English or in Irish – the word for “heaven” and the word for “sky” are the same.  Indeed, they are the same in the Greek language in which the New Testament was written.  So when Jesus speaks in the Gospels about our heavenly Father or our Father who is in heaven, it quite literally has the sense of our Father who is in the skies, who is above.

This notion of moving upwards, of ascending, of climbing is present in our second reading this evening, although it is obscured a bit by the English translation of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.  In the version which we have just heard, Saint Paul says:  “Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven” (Col 3:1), but a more literal reading of the line, and indeed a more traditional translation in English is “If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1).  And here we come to the key of why the notion of moving upwards, of ascending, of climbing is so central to our identity as Christians.  Christ has come up out of the tomb, having descended in death even into the netherworld, as we confess in the Apostles’ Creed.  Christ has risen from the tomb, conquering death; Christ has then ascended into the sky from where he will return.  Each and every one of us who has been baptized is sacramentally following that trajectory, his trajectory.  We have risen out of the baptismal waters and are pointed in the direction of heaven.  This is what Saint Paul means in our second reading today – if you have been resurrected with Christ, as indeed you have in baptism, then seek the things are above.  Let your life follow that symbolic direction upwards by saying no to the things which weigh you down as Saint Paul says: “impurity, guilty passion, evil desires and especially greed” (Col 3:9); as Our Lord says in the Gospel, do not be weighed down by avarice.

But there is a connection also with what we are doing now in this Church, in the celebration of the Eucharist.  That baptismal rising which is the beginning of our Christian ascent, that liberation from the weight of sin, is nourished and strengthened by the Body and Blood of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  The line from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians which I have been quoting: “If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above”, in the Latin Bible, the Vulgate, goes like this: “si conresurrexistis Christo quae sursum sunt quaerite” – “quae sursum sunt quaerite” – the things that are above, seek them.  But that Latin word for “above” or for “up” – “sursum” – connects us to the Mass because, in every celebration of Holy Mass, when come to enter into the profound mystery of Christ’s sacrifice, the priest calls out to the people: “Lift up your hearts.”  In the Latin Mass, that same word from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians is used “sursum” – “sursum corda” – just two words in the original Latin – “sursum corda” – hearts up!  Every Mass then takes our baptismal rising further, every Mass infuses us with the love of God and re-energizes the spiritually upward movement of Christian life, as we journey toward the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, which is described also by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Galatians as the Jerusalem above, the Jerusalem “quae sursum est” (Gal  4:26).  The Eucharist is our food for this rising, this ascending, this climb upwards.  Before I came to live in Ireland, I lived in Rome for many years where one of the most beloved saints is Saint Philip Neri, and one of the phenomena associated with Saint Philip Neri, and which indeed is depicted in paintings, is how he would actually levitate when he celebrated Holy Mass, a kind of miraculous symbolic confirmation of everything which we are reflecting on this evening.  The Mass directs us upwards, symbolically toward heaven.

And so, these are all the reasons why, for Christians, climbing mountains is so rich in significance.  The physical ascent of a mountain is a concrete image of Christian life.  In that connection, I want to point out that it was in these very days, 31 July – 1 August 1890, that a young priest who would be elected Pope Pius XI some thirty-two years later in 1922, pioneered what is now the normal route to the summit of Mont Blanc from the Italian side.  Father Achille Ratti was a renowned mountaineer who became a heroic Pope.  Our own beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, while he might not be the accomplished mountaineer that Pius XI was, still shows his love for the mountains in writing about their beauty and grandeur in his recent Encyclical Letter Laudato Sì.  He writes “Standing awestruck before a mountain… [a person]… cannot separate this experience from God, and perceives that the interior awe being lived has to be entrusted to the Lord.”

And so all these ideas are in our minds this evening as we prepare for tomorrow’s pilgrimage climb of the holy mountain of Saint Patrick, Croagh Patrick, that mountain which has been a place of pilgrimage for Christians in Ireland for well over a thousand years.  And again, how profound and how richly significant is our climb.  We literally follow the paths traced by our ancestors, women and men of faith, who kept that faith despite the opposition they faced, despite poverty and discrimination and emigration and famine.  On Croagh Patrick, we literally walk in their footsteps and we follow their trail.  Brothers and sisters, let us follow them not only physically, but spiritually as well, by treasuring our Catholic faith even when we face opposition.  Our pilgrimage tomorrow is also an experience of community.  Yes, the life of the Christian has an upward trajectory, but we don’t ascend alone to the Jerusalem above.  Tomorrow, we climb together, at the same time as others, as we do in the Christian life.  We help one another; we watch out for one another; we make way for others on the trail.

And on the summit when we arrive, we may want to confess ours sins and leave there the burden of sin we carry, so to be lighter and more at peace.

Yesterday, a priest of your Archdiocese, Father Fintan Monahan, was named Bishop of Killaloe by Pope Francis.  It is wonderful to have Bishop-elect Fintan with us this evening here in Westport.  In his very well-chosen and inspiring words yesterday in Ennis, he mentioned Croagh Patrick and today’s pilgrimage, and used it as an image of the task before him as Shepherd of the Church in Killaloe: being a Bishop does mean having to climb a large mountain. When he said that, it made me remember saying something rather similar, some four years and a half years ago, to Paddy Agnew of The Irish Times  when I was named Nuncio to Ireland.  We wish Father Fintan the very best in this new and important mission which Pope Francis has given him.  We can be sure that Our Lady, the Mother of the Lord, will obtain for him all the grace he needs to climb the mountain.

“If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above” (Col 3:1).  Sursum corda.  The well-worn paths up Croagh Patrick are still there today.  They haven’t disappeared.  The path of Christian faith is still alive in Ireland in 2016.  Perhaps at times we are tempted to be downcast, to keep our eyes down and our heads down. Even physically, many of us, and I include myself in this, have our heads literally down as we read our smart phones and type and text.  But Jesus Christ is saying to each of us today: “sursum corda” – hearts up!  Our lives on this earth are a preparation for the reality which we will profess in a moment, in the final line of the Creed – “the life of the world to come.”  That life, that eternal life which is represented by the Jerusalem above, is already becoming present in our world today, in the sacraments of the Church and in the love and mercy we show one another.  And so I say to everyone in Ireland, and in a special way to those who may have abandoned their faith because of scandals or discouragement or even just because of the relentless demands of modern life.  I say to them: the ancient faith is true.  God exists.  He is rich in mercy.  And Jesus of Nazareth is the way, the truth and the life of God himself.  He is inviting you to follow him, to ascend with him, indeed to climb, with him as your guide.  And he promises you the gifts of faith, hope and love, so that you will be able to ascend the mountain of your life and be made ready for the life of the world to come. “Seek the things that are above” (Col. 3:1): Sursum corda!

Here is a translation of the transcription of the address Pope Francis gave Sunday evening to World Youth Day volunteers.

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Before returning to Rome, I wanted to meet you and, before all else, to thank each of you for the effort, generosity and dedication you showed in guiding, helping and serving the thousands of young pilgrims. Thank you too for your witness of faith, which, together with that of so many young people from every part of the world, is a great sign of hope for the Church and the world. By giving of yourselves for love of Christ, you have experienced the beauty of commitment to a noble cause.

I wrote a talk for you… five pages… I don’t know if it is good or bad. A little boring… I’ll give it to you… But they tell me I can speak to you in any language, since there are translators. Shall I speak in Spanish?

Preparing a Youth Day is an adventure. It is about taking a risk and seeing it pay off. It is about service, hard work, accomplishment and then leaving it behind. First, adventure and generosity. I would like to thank you, the volunteers and the backers, for everything you have done. I would like to thank you for the hours you spent in prayer, because I know that this day took shape as a result of much work but also many prayers. Thanks to the volunteers who devoted significant time to prayer, so that we could make this happen.

Thanks also to the priests who accompanied you. Thanks to the religious women who accompanied you, to the consecrated persons, and to all of you who set out on this adventure with hope of making it happen.

The bishop who just spoke paid you a compliment. He said you are the hope of future, and that is true. But with two conditions. Do you want to be the hope for the future or not?

Two conditions that cost nothing. The first is condition is to remember. Trying to understand where I come from: the memory of my people, my family, my whole history. The witness talk of the second volunteer was full of memories.

Memory of the path I have taken, memory of everything I have received from those who have gone before me. A young person who cannot remember is no hope for the future. Is that clear? 
So, Father, how do I go about remembering? First, talk to your grandparents. Because if you want to be hope for the future, you have to receive the torch from your grandfather and your grandmother.

Will you promise me that in preparing for Panama, you will talk more with your grandparents? If your grandparents are already in heaven, will you talk to with the elderly?
Are you going to ask them questions?
Ask them. They are the wisdom of a people.
So, in order to be hope, the first condition is to remember. You are the hope of the future, the Bishop told you.
Second condition. If I am hope for the future and I have memory of the past, then what about the present? What must I do in the present? Have courage, be strong, don’t be afraid. Let us heed the witness, the final witness given by our young friend who died of cancer. He wanted to be here and didn’t make it, but he had the courage to face things and the courage to keep fighting even in the worst of conditions. Today he is not here, but that young man sowed hope for the future.

So, for the present? Courage. Bravery, courage. Is that clear? And then, if you have… What was the first thing? [Memory!] And then? [Courage!],
you are going to be the hope… [of the future!]

Is all this clear? Good.

I don’t know if I’m going to be in Panama, but I can tell you one thing: that Peter will be in Panama. And Peter is going to ask you if you talked with your grandparents if you talked with the elderly in order to remember, and if you had the courage and bravery to meet situations head on and in that way to sow seeds for the future. And you are going to have to answer to Peter. Right?

God bless you all. Thank you, thank you for everything. And now let us all pray, each in his or her own language, to Our Lady.

HAIL MARY

I ask you also to pray for me. Don’t forget! I give you my blessing.

BLESSING

Oh, and I forgot… What were those three things? [Memory, courage, future]

At the end of the closing Mass of the XXXI World Youth Day, Pope Francis led the Angelus prayer with young people and pilgrims present at Campus Misericordiae of Kraków. In taking leave of the young people, the Pope has announced the date and place of the next international edition of World Youth Day. Here are the words that Pope Francis addressed to the assembly before the Angelus :

At the conclusion of this celebration, I join all of you in thanking God, the Father of infinite mercy, for allowing us to experience this World Youth Day. I thank Cardinal Dziwisz and Cardinal Ryłko, who have been indefatigable in their efforts to make this Day possible, as too, for the prayers which have accompanied the preparations for this event; I also thank all those who have contributed to its successful outcome. A big word of thanks goes to you, dear young people! You filled Krakow with the contagious enthusiasm of your faith. Saint John Paul II has rejoiced from heaven, and he will help you spread the joy of the Gospel everywhere.

In these days, we have experienced the beauty of our universal fraternity in Christ, the centre and hope of our lives. We have heard his voice, the voice of the Good Shepherd who dwells in our midst. He has spoken to each of you in your heart. He has renewed you by his love and he has shown you the light of his forgiveness, the power of his grace. He has made you experience the reality of prayer. These days have given you a spiritual “breath of fresh air” that will help you live lives of mercy once you return to your own countries and communities.

Here, beside the altar, is the image of the Virgin Mary venerated by Saint John Paul II in the shrine of Kalwaria. Mary, our Mother, teaches us how we can make our experience here in Poland be productive. She tells us to do what she did: not to squander the gift you have received, but to treasure it in your heart so it can grow and bear fruit, with the help of the Holy Spirit. In this way, each of you, for all your limitations and failings, can be a witness to Christ wherever you live: at home, in your parishes, in your associations and groups, and your places of study, work, service, entertainment… wherever God’s providence will lead you.

God’s providence is always one step ahead of us. Think: it has already determined the next stop in this great pilgrimage begun in 1985 by Saint John Paul II! So now I am happy to announce that the next World Youth Day – after the two that will be held on the diocesan level – will take place in 2019 in Panama.

I invite the Bishops of Panama to approach, and to join me in giving the blessing.  Trusting in the intercession of Mary, let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten and sustain the journey of young people in the Church and in the world, and make you disciples and witnesses to God’s mercy.

And now let us recite together the Angelus prayer…