Pope Francis: Politics and religion have common interests

Pope Francis highlighted that “despite being different, politics and religion have common and shared interests,” during his meeting with a delegation of French elected representatives, this Saturday.

The Pope thanked the politicians who are making a pilgrimage to Rome these days, and noted that this trip “is a courageous step and testifies to their desire to keep your life as believers united with that of the men and women who occupy positions of responsibility.”

The Holy Father encouraged politicians to think about “the urgency of offering young people an education that orients them towards the needs of others and can foster a sense of commitment.”

“The growing young person needs an ideal, because he is fundamentally generous and open to existential questions. “Those who think that young people only aspire to be on the couch or on social networks are wrong!” he said.

“Involving young people, involving them in the real world, in a visit to the elderly or the disabled, the poor or immigrants, opens them to the joy of welcoming and giving, offering a little comfort to people made invisible by a wall of indifference,” he said.

The Pope also encouraged French politicians so that “with their contribution, the debate on the essential question of the end of life can be carried out truthfully. “It is about accompanying life to its natural end through a broader development of palliative care.”

“As you know, people at the end of life need the support of caregivers who are true to their calling, which is to offer care and relief even if they cannot always recover. Words are not always useful, but holding the hand of a sick person, taking them by the hand, this does a lot of good and not only for the sick person, but also for us.”

Towards the end of his message, the Holy Father expressed his joy at “seeing how you, who have responsibilities in the economic and social sphere, are interested in the message of the Church and take the time to get to know it better through meetings.” planned. during his pilgrimage.

“Despite being different, politics and religion have common and shared interests, and in different ways we are all aware of the role we must play for the common good. The Church wishes to awaken the spiritual forces that make all social life fruitful, and can count on its help,” he highlighted.