Speech by Pope Francis at the interreligious meeting held in Singapore

We offer the official version provided by the Vatican Press Room of the speech given by Pope Francis during the interreligious meeting with young people at the Catholic Junior College in Singapore on September 13, 2024.

Thank you so much. Thank you for your words.

Three of the words they have said have impacted me: “armchair critics”, “comfort zone” and “technology” as a duty to use it and also the risk of using it. This is the speech I had prepared, but now let’s continue (spontaneously).

Youth is brave and youth likes to move towards the truth. Make your way, be creative. And youth must be careful not to fall into what you have pointed out: being “armchair critics”, words and more words. Yes, a young man must be critical. A young man who does not criticize is not on the right path. But he must be constructive in his criticism, because there is also a destructive criticism; that of the one who makes a lot of criticism, but he does not build a new path. I ask all young people, each one: are you critical? Do you have the courage to criticize and also the courage to let others criticize you? Because if you criticize the other person also criticizes you. This is the sincere dialogue between young people.

Young people must have enough courage to build, to move forward and to leave “comfortable” zones. A young man who always chooses to spend his life in a “comfortable” way is a young man who gains weight. But he doesn’t make his belly fat, he makes his mind fat. That’s why I tell young people: “Take risks, go out! Don’t be afraid!” Fear is a dictatorial attitude that makes you paralyzed, produces paralysis. It is true that young people make mistakes many times, many times, and it would be good for each one of us, each one of you young people, to think: how many times have I been wrong? I made a mistake because I started walking and made mistakes along the way. And this is normal; The important thing is to realize that one has made a mistake. I ask you a question, let’s see who of you answers it. What is worse? Make a mistake because I have taken a path, or not make a mistake because I am stuck at home? Everyone, the second! A young man who does not take risks, who is afraid of making mistakes is an old man. Do you understand? You have talked about the media, today there are many facilities, many possibilities to use the media, the mobile phone, television. I ask you: is it good to use the media or is it not good? Let’s think: a young man who doesn’t use the media, what is that young man like? Closed. And a young man who lives totally enslaved to the media, what is he like? He is a messy young man. All young people should use the media, but use the media to help them move forward, not to enslave them. Understood? Do you agree or disagree?

One of the things that has impressed me most about you, the young people, who are here, is your capacity for interreligious dialogue. And this is very important, because if they start arguing—“my religion is more important than yours,” “Mine is true, but yours is not true”—. Where is all this leading? Where? Someone answer where? (someone answers: “To destruction”). And so it is. All religions are a path to reach God. And, I make a comparison, they are like different languages, like different languages, to get there. Because God is God for everyone. And therefore, because he is God for all, we are all children of God. “But my God is more important than yours!” That’s true? There is only one God, and we, our religions are languages, paths to reach God. One is Sikh, another, Muslim, Hindu, Christian; although they are different paths. Understood? However, interfaith dialogue among young people requires courage. Because youth is the age of bravery. But while you could have that courage to do things that would not help you, it would be better to have courage to move forward and for dialogue.

One thing that helps a lot is respect, dialogue. I’ll tell you something. I don’t know if it happens here, in this city, but in other cities it does. Among young people there is a very ugly thing, which is bullying. I ask you, who is the bravest to tell me what they think about bullying? ―(some young people respond)―. I like it, each one has given a definition with a different aspect of bullying. But always, whether it is verbal or physical harassment, it is always an attack. Always. And think, in schools or in youth or children’s groups, bullying is done to those who are weaker. For example, with a disabled boy or girl. And we have seen that beautiful dance here with disabled children! We each have our own abilities and also disabilities. Do we all have capabilities? (they respond: “Yes!”) And do we all have disabilities? (they respond: “Yes!”) Even the Pope? Yes, all, all! And just as we have our disabilities, we must respect the disabilities of others. Do you agree? And this is important; why do I say it? Because overcoming these things helps in what you do, interreligious dialogue. Because interreligious dialogue is built with respect for others. And this is very important.

Any questions? No? I want to thank you and repeat what Raaj told us: he has told us to do everything we can to maintain a brave attitude and promote a space where young people can enter and dialogue. Because your dialogue is a dialogue that generates a path, that marks the path. And if they now dialogue as young people, they will also dialogue as adults, as citizens, as politicians. And I would like to tell you something that history teaches us: that all the dictatorships that have existed, the first thing they do is cut off dialogue.

I thank you for these questions and I feel happy to find the young people, to find these brave people, almost “scoundrels”, but they are good! I wish all of you young people to move forward with hope and not to turn back. Take risks! Otherwise, their bellies will grow! God bless you and pray for me, I do for you.

And now, in silence, let us pray for each other. In silence.

May God bless us all. And when some time passes and you are no longer young, you will grow older and you will also be grandparents; Teach all these things to the children. God bless you and pray for me, don’t forget! But pray for me, not against!