Pope Francis has told thousands of young people in France that they are actors in their lives, not spectators.

Today, the Holy Father sent a message to the Scouts of Europe on the occasion of their Fourth International Meeting (Euro-Jamboree). The meeting is underway through Aug.10.

More than 12,000 boys and girls from some 20 European countries are gathered at Saint-Evroult-Notre-Dame-Du-Bois in Normandy, France.

In the message, the Pope stressed that to know Jesus, you need “to start” to know him. He said Jesus can be encountered through the Word and Sacraments.

Recalling his words at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, the Argentine Pontiff instructed the young people to follow his advice: to go out, do so fearlessly, and serve.

After the Holy Father invited them to pray so that unity and peace will come to Europe and the world, he declared to them: “You are real actors of this world, and not just spectators!”

He encouraged them not to “be afraid to face the challenges, in order to safeguard Christian values,” especially defending life and human dignity. 

--

On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: 

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-message-to-gathering-of-european-scouts