杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni  

鈥淧hones are for connecting鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis told an enthusiastic Paul VI Hall full of students: 鈥渓ife is for communicating!鈥�

The girls and boys, accompanied by family members and teachers of Rome鈥檚 Visconti High School clapped loudly when the 杏MAP导航 turned his attention to their ever-present digital devices.

"Free yourself from the addiction to mobile phones" he warned, pointing out that they are good and useful tools, but must be used in the right way.

Speaking off-the-cuff during his wide-ranging and to-the-point discourse, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥淢obile phones are for communication鈥� and communication is beautiful and good. But, he continued, the danger of becoming addicted to mobile phones is very tangible at present.

Every one, he continued, should know how to use one, 鈥渂ut when you become a slave to your mobile phone, you will lose your freedom鈥�.  

Schools must promote culture of encounter

杏MAP导航 Francis also expressed his deep belief that education is a precious right and said that schools must be places where a culture of inclusion and the respect for diversity must be promoted.

School, he said, must be a laboratory that anticipates and prepares for the future of collectivity.

鈥淧lease don't be afraid of diversity. Dialogue between different cultures enriches the country, enriches our homeland: it teaches us to look to a future in which there is a place and a home for all, not just for some鈥� he said.

The 杏MAP导航 noted that, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, the Church is committed to promote the universal value of fraternity which is based on freedom, on the honest search for truth, on the promotion of justice and solidarity, especially in regards to the weakest in society.

鈥淲ithout the search for these values, there can be no true coexistence鈥� he said, and this is something for which "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry鈥�.

Bullying

The 杏MAP导航 also touched on the scourge of bullying which is a problem in many school environments.  

鈥淚t pains me so much to see bullying in some schools鈥� he said inviting the students to fighting bullying which he said contains the seeds of war.

Finally, he urged the young people present 鈥渘ever to stop dreaming big and hoping for a better world for all: 鈥渄on鈥檛 settle for mediocrity in relationships, in cultivating who you are, in planning for your future, in your commitment for a more just and more beautiful world鈥�.

Tomorrow, he reminded them, is the beginning of Holy week which culminates on Easter Day with the resurrection of Christ, the foundation of Christian hope: 鈥淚t is also a time of renewal for the soul, a time to blossom!鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said, inviting those present to do so with trust in the Lord as it is He who gives us the strength and the courage to face the difficulties we will find on our journey.