Pope Francis' message to Albanian youth 10 years after the historic visit
2024-09-17 14:34:22
TiranaPost
10 years after the historic visit to Tirana, Pope Francis from the Vatican and a message for the Albanian youth.
MED24 is being held in Tirana for the first time in Albania, with the support of Pope Francis to promote hope and peace in the region and in the world. During this meeting, Monsignor Arjan Dodaj and the Holy Father's message to the youth of Albania were broadcast.
Pope's message:
Dear friends, dear young Albanians and the Mediterranean,
It is a joy for me to know that you have gathered in Tirana, exactly 10 years after my visit to your beloved country, in 2014. I cannot forget and remember that unforgettable trip, where I was able to meet your people, a a people with a diversity of portraits, but united by courage. As I said to the young people then: - "You are the new generation of Albania", - I add today, dear young people from the five shores of the Mediterranean: - "You, the new generation, are the future of the Mediterranean region". We are all pilgrims of hope, walking in search of truth, living our religion while building peace - Peace must be built!
God loves all people and does not discriminate between us. The brotherhood between the five shores of the Mediterranean that you are building is the answer, - it is the answer -, it is the best answer that we can offer to the conflicts and indifferences that kill, because: Indifference kills!
Learn together to read the signs of the times. Contemplate the change of your traditions as an asset, an asset required by God. Unity is not uniformity and the diversity of our cultural and religious identities is a gift from God. So Unity in Diversity! Allow yourself to grow in mutual appreciation, as your forefathers testify.
Center the voices of those who are not heard. I am thinking of the poorest, who suffer from being considered a burden, or a disturbance. I think they, although young, often have to leave their country for a better future. Take care of each one: for it is not about numbers, but about persons, and every person is holy. It speaks of faces whose dignity must be promoted and protected: Let's deny the culture of fear to open the door of hospitality and friendship!
Like a great lake of Tiberias, entrusted to your care, dwell on the shores of this basin, which unites you—the Mediterranean unites you! It unites you as a beautiful flower garden to cultivate. Keep the spirit of service in every situation, take care of every creature entrusted to your hands!
Learn to walk in the footsteps of your martyrs! Their courage is a living testimony that can inspire your commitment to resist all the violence that disfigures our humanity, as only 22-year-old Lumja Marije Tuci was able to do.
I trust you in Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, who always casts Her gaze with love and pain on the events of your land. Learn from Her Immaculate Heart to be tireless pilgrims of hope and to follow God's signs so that the Mediterranean will rediscover its most beautiful face: that of Brotherhood and Peace and that it will no longer be a cemetery.
