Picture: Daily News Pope Francis continued his Brazilian journey yesterday as he met with young people from his native Argentina in Rio de Janeiro’s Cathedral. There was also around 30,000 gathered outside, standing in the rain, hoping to catch a glimpse of this heroic figure. Pope Francis, speaking directly to the youth, said: “I would like to tell you what my expectations are regarding this World Youth Day; I would like us to make noise, I would like those inside the Dioceses to go out into the open; I want the Church to be in the streets; I want us to defend ourselves against all that is worldliness, comfort, being closed and turned within – Parishes, colleges and institutions must get out otherwise they risk becoming NGOs, and the Church is not a Non-Governmental Organisation”. He also expressed concern about the worship of material wealth and an increasing philosophy which excludes both the young and the old in society. He said the young do not have the experience and the dignity of work, and the aged are not allowed to speak and are being marginalized. He also invited the young people to listen to the elderly, exclaiming: “you must listen to them!” |