Pope Francis in the Philippines Read Online Free PDF Page A

how to love and to learn how to be loved . There is a challenge which is a challenge of u . This is not only because your country more than many others is likely to be seriously affected by climate change . There is the challenge , the concern for the environment . And finally , there is the challenge for the poor , to love the poor , with your bishops . Do you think of the poor ? Do you feel with the poor ? Do you do something for the poor ? Do you ask the poor to give you the wisdom they have ?
    This is what I wish to tell you all today . Sorry if I haven ’ t read what I prepared for you but there is a phrase that consoles me : that reality is superior to ideas . The reality that you have is superior to the paper I have in front of me .
    Thank you very much . Pray for me !
     

Pope Francis ' Prepared Speech , UST , Jan . 18, 2015
     
    Dear young friends ,
    It is a joy for me to be with you this morning . I greet each of you from the heart , and I thank all those who made this meeting possible . During my visit to the Philippines , I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people , to listen to you and to talk with you . I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you . And I want to encourage you , as Christian citizens of this country , to offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world .
    In a special way , I thank the young people who have offered words of welcome to me . They have expressed eloquently , in your name , your concerns and worries , your faith and your hopes . They have spoken of the difficulties and the expectations of the young . Although I cannot respond to each of these issues at length , I know that , together with your pastors and among yourselves , you will prayerfully consider them and make concrete proposals for action in your lives .
    Today I would like to suggest three key areas where you have a significant contribution to make to the life of your country . The first of these is the challenge of integrity . The word " challenge " can be understood in two ways . First , it can be understood negatively , as a temptation to act against your moral convictions , what you know to be true , good and right . Our integrity can be challenged by selfish interest , greed , dishonesty , or the willingness to use other people .
    But the word " challenge " can be also understood positively . It can be seen as invitation to courage , a summons to bear prophetic witness to what you believe and hold sacred . In this sense , the challenge of integrity is something which you have to face now , at this time in your lives . It is not something you can put off until you are older or have greater responsibilities . Even now you are challenged to act with honesty and fairness in your dealings with others , young and old alike . Do not avoid the challenge ! One of the greatest challenges young people face is learning to love . To love means to take a risk : the risk of rejection , the risk of being taken advantage of , or worse , of taking advantage of another . Do not be afraid to love ! But in love , too , maintain your integrity ! Here too , be honest and fair !
    In the reading we have just heard , Paul tells Timothy : " Let no one have contempt for your youth , but set an example for those who believe , in speech , conduct , love , faith , and purity " (1 Tim 4:12).
    You are called , then , to set a good example of integrity . Naturally , in doing this , you will encounter opposition , negativity , discouragement , and even ridicule . But you have received a gift which enables you to rise above those difficulties . It is the gift of the Holy Spirit . If you nurture this gift by daily prayer and draw strength from sharing in the Eucharist , you will be able to achieve that moral greatness to which Jesus calls you . You will also be a compass to those of your friends who are struggling . I think especially of these young