Pope urges children to generosity to Christ and peers

(December 19, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI told young boys and girls to build their friendship with Jesus saying they will be happy throughout their lives as He will never disappoint them. The Pope made the exhortation to young people belonging to the lay Italian association called Azione Cattolica Ragazzi, ACR, or Catholic Action Children. The Holy Father expressed appreciation not only for their concern for their classmates and friends, but also for reaching out to many of their peers who are not as fortunate as them and cannot live a dignified life. ACR’s theme this year was, “Get up, the Lord is calling you”, taken from the Gospel episode of Jesus healing the blind Bartimeus. Commenting on the catch phrase, the Pope urged the boys and girls to lead their peers to Christ. But they must first begin from themselves, responding to Christ’s call. He urged them to be thankful to God for the gift of life and the sacraments of Baptism and Communion. He urged them to ask God for the gift of a happy life for every boy and girl in the world; that they be always respected and no one lack the necessities of life. Pope Benedict also urged the youth to be generous to Christ’s call, not only to the married state, but also to the priesthood and religious life.