Today the Pope received in audience 60 boys and girls from Catholic Action Youth to exchange Christmas wishes with them, as is customary every year. As today is also the Pope’s 79th birthday, they also celebrated by offering him a cake.
This year’s theme of the path of formation in Catholic Action Youth is “Journeying to You”, which means “taking the path of good, not that of evil,” said Francis. “The path of forgiveness, not that of revenge; the path of peace, not that of war; the path of solidarity, not that of selfishness.”
Catholic Action Youth has also drawn up a plan for offering aid to migrants in the Diocese of Agrigento. The Pope expressed his gratitude for their exemplary efforts to welcome the many brothers and sisters “who arrive full of hope but also bearing many wounds and with many needs, in search of peace and sustenance.”
The Pontiff said the young people of Catholic Action can offer a special contribution to this initiative, with their enthusiasm and prayer, which he advised them to “accompany with a small sacrifice, to share their essentials with others who do not have them.”
The Pope also commented that Wednesday’s general audience was attended by a five-month-old baby, born on a boat off the Sicilian coast, with his parents. “There are many of them. Many children arrive, others do not make it. Everything you do for these people is good. Many thanks for what you do.”
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-young-members-of-italian-catholic-action-a-c-r
