On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the publication of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Christus Vivit”, the Pope sends a message to young people around the world. “Christ lives and loves you infinitely. And his love for you is not conditioned by your falls or your mistakes. He who gave his life for you, does not wait for your perfection to love you”, emphasizes Francisco.
Thulio Fonseca – Vatican News
“Dear young people, Christ lives and wants you alive! Above all, I wanted my words to revive hope in you. In fact, in the current international context marked by so many conflicts and so much suffering, I can imagine that many of you feel discouraged. That is why I want to begin, together with you, with the announcement that is at the foundation of hope for us and all humanity: Christ lives!” These are the opening words of Pope Francis in his message addressed to young people, five years after the publication of the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, the result of the Assembly of the Synod of Bishops whose theme was: “Young people, faith and vocational discernment”.
In the text, the Holy Father turns to youth, inviting them not to let themselves be dominated by fear and discouragement, but to be engines for the world:
“I recommend that you never let us miss your good noise, your drive like that of a clean and agile engine, your original way of living and proclaiming the joy of the Resurrected Jesus!”
Sharing with Christ the joys and sufferings
In his message, the Pope starts from the kerygma, the proclamation of salvation that is the foundation of hope for all humanity: “Christ lives and loves you infinitely. And his love for you is not conditioned by your falls or your mistakes. He who gave his life for you, does not wait for your perfection to love you.”
“Look at His open arms on the cross and “let yourself be saved again and again”, walk with Him as with a friend, welcome Him into your life and let Him share the joys and hopes, the sufferings and anxieties of your youth. You will see that your path will be illuminated and even the greatest burdens will become less heavy, because He will be carrying them with you.”
“Make yourselves heard!”
The Pontiff’s wish is that everyone perceives this announcement as “alive and true” in their own lives and feels the impulse to share it with their friends. “Yes, because you have this great mission: to witness to everyone the joy that comes from friendship with Christ”, emphasizes Francisco.
The Pope then recalls his first contact, as soon as he was elected, with young people from all over the world during WYD in Rio de Janeiro, in 2013:
“At the beginning of my Pontificate, during the WYD in Rio de Janeiro, I told you loud and clear: make yourselves heard! “Hagan lio!”. And I continue to ask you the same today: make yourselves heard, shout , not so much with the voice, but above all with the life and the heart, this truth: Christ lives! world.”
Craftsmen of the future
Pope Francis also recalls that next April 14th will be the 40th anniversary of the first great meeting of young people in 1984, on the occasion of the Holy Year of Redemption. It was the “unfolding” of the future World Youth Days and, at the end of that jubilee year, John Paul II handed over a Cross to young people with “the mission of taking it to the whole world as a sign and reminder that only in the dead and risen Jesus there is salvation and redemption.”
“Contemplate Jesus like this: alive and overflowing with joy, conqueror of death, a friend who loves you and wants to live in you. Only in this way, in the light of his presence, will the memory of the past be fruitful and will you have the courage to live the present and face the future with hope. You can freely take on the history of your families, your grandparents, your parents, the religious traditions of your countries, to be, in your turn, builders of tomorrow, “craftsmen” of the future.”
Synodality, the result of contact with young people
When reflecting specifically on the exhortation “Christus Vivit”, which portrays the image of a Church that wants to walk together and, therefore, listens, dialogues and constantly discerns the will of the Lord, Francis recalls that for more than five years, many young people from various parts of the world were invited to share their expectations and desires in view of the Synod on Young People.
“Hundreds of young people came to Rome and worked together for a few days, collecting ideas to propose: thanks to their work, the Bishops were able to learn about and deepen a broader vision of the world and the Church. It was a true “synodal experiment”, which It produced many fruits and also prepared the way for another Synod, the one we have been experiencing in recent years, precisely on synodality.”
At the conclusion of the message, the Pope addresses the young people directly, expressing his gratitude: “Dear young people, you are the living hope of a Church on the way! Therefore, I thank you for your presence and contribution to the life of the Body of Christ.”
