Pope Francis arrived in the Italian region of Molise in southern Italy Saturday morning on a one-day pastoral visit to the archdiocese of Campobasso-Bojano.
During his trip, the Holy Father is to celebrate a public Mass, as well as visit the incarcerated, ill, poor and young people.
After arriving by helicoper at 9 a.m. the Pope met with a group of representatives from the world of work and industry at the University of Molise in Campobasso,
Focusing on the theme of work, the Pontiff spoke of the challenges of unemployment. He encouraged the youth and those unemployed to be “creative” in order to surpass the difficulties of the economic crisis and have a better future.
During the discourse, he joked that the university’s rector stole his words that, “Our God is a God of surprises.” At the same time, Francis said we must realize what else God does: “He breaks the mold.”
God, he stressed, implores us to be “creative” about the future. This requires courage, but, he added, it is “beautiful” because it allows us to go forward. The Pontiff noted that if forces are brought together in a constructive way, economic progress can be achieved.
Reflecting on constraints on families imposed by the economic crisis, he spoke about working moms and working on Sundays. He lamented that parents cannot find time to play with their children. These difficulties, he said, allow us to assess the quality of the human economic system in which we find ourselves.
In the cordial meeting, the Pope greeted the faithful present and exchanged gifts.
His next engagement is a Eucharistic celebration, to take place at 10:30 a.m. at the old Romagnoli Stadium. The Holy Father will preside over the Mass and, at its conclusion, will greet a group of sick people at the Cathedral of Campobasso.
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On Zenit’s Web page:
Full Translation: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-address-on-world-of-work-at-university-of-campobasso
