Pope Francis: Youth Must Have 'Courage' To Hold Interfaith Dialogue

Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia went smoothly, KWI thanked all those who had helped. (Wardhani Tsa Tsia VOI)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis gave an important message for young people to open interfaith dialogue. According to the Pope, interfaith dialogue requires courage, because it means letting yourself open to criticism.

Criticism can be constructive or disturbing. And young people, despite being critical in interfaith dialogue, must also respect other people who have different beliefs.

This was conveyed by Pope Francis during an interfaith meeting with youths at Catholic Junior College (CJC) on the last day of his visit to Singapore, Friday, September 13.

"Do you have the courage to criticize, and at the same time let yourself be criticized?" asked Pope Francis quoted from Channelnewsasia, Friday, September 13.

Dialogue among young people will also lead to dialogue at a greater level among citizens in a wider community, Pope Francis said. He noted that criticism can be constructive or disturbing, and young people, apart from being critical, must also respect others who have different beliefs.

Pope Francis said that "the youth is truly the time of courage in our lives".

"You can have this courage and use it for things that really don't help you, or you can use that courage to move forward and engage in dialogue," he said.

He appealed to young people to be brave and constructive, and get out of their comfort zone to actively approach the topic of interfaith harmony.

"A young man who remains only in his own comfort and wants a comfortable life, becomes fat," said the whale with a loud laugh.

"Don't let your body be fat, but let your body be fat. And for this reason, I say, take risks. Go there. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid."

Taking Risk And Making Mistakes

More than 600 participants from more than 50 schools and interfaith organizations attended Friday morning events.

Raaj Shukul Kumar, chief coordinator of the Youth Wing Interfaith Organization, asked Pope Francis how busy youths thinking about their lives could continue to encourage social cohesion.

Nicole Law's teacher, a volunteer at the Catholic Council of the Archdiocese for Interfaith Dialogue, asked the pope about the balance between opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.

Preet Kaur Veygal, a registered nurse and secretary at Sikh Selanks Singapore, asked how young people can overcome social challenges "given the high pressure to perform well in every aspect of life".

Pope Francis told youth not to be afraid to take wrong steps in pushing for interfaith struggles.

"Often young people make mistakes," he said, adding that it was normal and the most important thing was to realize his mistakes.

"What's worse? Make a mistake because you actually step up and do something, or don't make a mistake but don't do anything?", asked.

"Young people who are afraid and don't take risks are parents."