Elcka Torres
From the Newsroom
Thousands of Latin American youth gathered on Sunday evening, 11 in Constanera Avenue of Asuncion, for the last meeting of Pope Francis on his trip to Paraguay.
A warm, welcome ceremony in an atmosphere of joy and enthusiams welcomed The Holy Father. The meeting included the testimonies of the young Paraguayan Liz, who takes care of the grandmother and her mother who has Alzheimer, and Manuel, who lived a difficult childhood after being abandoned by his parents, was mistreated, exploited and got into drugs, but They had a personal experience with Christ that brought them hope.
Francisco chose to “respond with heart”, leaving aside the previously prepared speech. “I have prepared speech, but the speeches are boring,” said the Pope
The Pontiff highlighted three key and important words for young people: free Heart, solidarity and hope.
Free heart
The young man picked Orlando to proclaim the Gospel, to greet the Pontiff asking him to give a blessing and pray for freedom.
The Pope took advantage and began his speech by asking young people to pray that everyone present had a free heart. “Freedom is a gift that God gives us, but we need to know receive it. We know that the world puts many moorings in our hearts, exploitation, lack of means to survive, drug addiction, sadness, all this takes away freedom. “He explained.
Solidarity
Bringing the couple’s testimony Liz, 25, the Holy Father brought a great lesson of solidarity to the young.
“Liz teaches us with his life that we can not be like Pilate, she could wash their hands, put his mother and grandmother in the nursing home, and live happy life, but she has become the servant of his mother and grandmother. She said she changed roles, she was the mother of his mother, who has Alzheimer’s. Liz in his 25 years serving his mother and grandmother. ”
Liz lives the fourth commandment “honor father and mother.” Liz live your life for your mother, this is a great act of solidarity and love, “said the Pope.
Hope
Bringing the story of Manuel, the Pope said that the young man was not born in a golden cradle, Pope Francis was impacted by the harsh words uttered by the boy. “‘I have been exploited and abused both falling into a life of drugs . . .” But the encounter with God brought him hope.
“The freedom of the heart teaches Orlando, service and solidarity teaches Liz. Hope, fight and follow life teaches Manuel. This is what we need, young people with hope. We want young people who do not tire quickly, we want strong young men, with hope and fortitude, “said Francisco.
The Pope urged the young people to go against the flow and live the bliss, found in the Gospel of St. Matthew. And he recalled: “The next time that had asked you to make noise, a priest told me: ‘You told the young people to make noise, but then the consequences to us to bear.” So I say to you today: to roar and organize well. ”
The Pontiff ended his message with a brief moment of prayer. “Lord Jesus I thank you for being here. Stay with us Jesus. Jesus ask you for the boys and girls who do not know that the Lord is the strength. Jesus teach them to dream. Dream big things, beautiful things. Lord Jesus give us strength, give us a free heart ”