杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

鈥淣ever give up on your dreams鈥� and 鈥渂e ambassadors of peace, so that the world can rediscover the beauty of love, of living together, of fraternity and solidarity鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis made this invitation as  he addressed on Monday a group of African children of several nationalities on the occasion of Africa Day.

The day marks the annual commemoration of the founding of the African Union (OAU) on 25 May 1963. That day, noted the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋s a symbol of the struggle of the entire African continent for liberation, development, and economic and social progress, as well as for the strengthening and deepening of Africa鈥檚 cultural patrimony鈥� and 鈥測ou are the sign of this rich cultural diversity鈥�.

Be different

He therefore reiterated the call he addressed in 2019 to all young people in his 鈥渢o dare to be 鈥榙ifferent鈥�, to bear witness to the beauty of generosity, service, purity, courage, forgiveness, the struggle for justice and the common good, love for the poor, and social friendship鈥�.

Don鈥檛 be discouraged by the 鈥渆normous challenges鈥� in your countries

杏MAP导航 Francis further urged the African children not to be discouraged by the 鈥渆normous challenges鈥� and crises faced by the African continent today, including terrorism, bad governance, corruption, massive youth unemployment, migration, conflicts between communities and the climate and food crisis, and to continue pursuing their dreams for a better future.  鈥淥ne of Africa鈥檚 riches is the keen intelligence of its young people鈥� he remarked, expressing his wish that their commitment to studies may 鈥渃ontribute to the human and integral development of society鈥�.

Drawing attention to the scourge of children soldiers, he also called on those present to be close to their unfortunate peers who are victims of all kinds of conflicts in Africa 鈥渟o that they do not feel rejected and stigmatized鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis then  insisted again on the importance for young people to dialogue with their elders to build a better world: 鈥淒ialoguing with our roots, with our elders鈥�, he said (鈥�) allows us to move forward鈥�.

Be ambassadors of peace in these times of great danger for humanity

Concluding, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged those present to be 鈥渁mbassadors of peace鈥� in these times of great danger for humanity by living peace around them and within them.