Pope Francis praises young Italian volunteers

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis greeted thousands of young volunteers from Italy’s National Civil Service in the Paul the VI hall in the Vatican on Saturday, telling them that they were precious asset to their country.

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Speaking to the estimated 7 thousand young people from Italy’s National Civil Service, the Pope told them they were a dynamic and valued force in their country, especially he added, for the weakest in society.

The Holy Father went on to say that having a united society is the goal of every civilized community that wants to be egalitarian and fraternal. But he underlined, that this unity is betrayed,  “every time we witness passively the increasing inequality between different social partners or between the nations of the world.”

Pope Francis said, that these attitudes are an affront to our society because they create a culture of indifference and oppression, as well as an inward looking behaviour.

The Pope told the young people present that they were being called on to show how it is possible to think and act differently through their projects with the National Civil Service, such as the protection of the environment and educational projects.

Another area of ​​action, he pointed out was migration, saying that migrants and refugees need to be rescued and integrated into the social fabric of society.

The Holy Father also highlighted the extraordinary effort that is required to help  people affected by the recent earthquakes in Central Italy. “All these realities, he added,  “become occasions for you to grow and share experiences, knowledge and sensitivity.

In conclusion the Pope expressed the hope that the young people would follow the path that gives them full meaning and joy to their lives, and invited them to look to Jesus as a perfect model of humanity.