Fifteen hundred members of the Eucharistic Youth Movement met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They came from 35 countries and gave the Pope an energetic welcome when he arrived.
They were in Rome to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their founding with a major international event. The Pope gave improvised remarks and answered questions. One attendee was speechless, but Pope Francis made her laugh.
"Pope Francis, my question is: Who is better, Pele or Maradona? Pele!”
Pope Francis added that tension and conflict are necessary. If not, society would be like a cemetery. But he said that such disagreements should be resolved with dialogue.
POPE FRANCIS
"Tensions make you grow, they develop your values. A young person must have the virtue of courage. A young person without courage is reluctant, an old soul. How do you resolve tension? With dialogue!”
Living in constant conflict is not a healthy attitude, the Pope explained.
Attendees also asked the Pope how to better resolve problems with their parents. But Pope Francis preferred to discuss grandparents. He said that they must always be accounted for, because they're the people that society most often forgets.
POPE FRANCIS
"When grandparents live in the house, they can help resolve everyday tensions that are normal in a family. Don't forget grandparents, OK?”
When it comes to the Pope's faith, he was asked what was the greatest challenge that he has faced.
POPE FRANCIS
"I would say that it was always finding peace in the Lord, that peace that only Jesus can give...in work, in my daily tasks. The challenge is finding that peace because it means that the Lord is with you, that the Lord is nearby. And also there is another challenge: distinguishing between the peace from Jesus and the peace that's not from Jesus.”
To conclude, he explained that the devil will never give them peace because he always tries to deceive. He added that knowing Jesus' peace is the greatest joy.
Pope Francis then asked the crowd to pray for him. He said farewell, blessed them, and left as the music kept on playing.