Pope Francis participated in the closing of the Sixth World Congress of Scholas. During the meeting, he answered questions from several young people, such as whether he has considered resigning from the pressure of being Pope.
POPE FRANCIS
'It never occurred to me to quit being [
pope] for the responsibilities, but I will tell you something. It had never occurred to me that I would be elected Pope. It was a surprise, but in that moment, God gave me a peace that lasts to this day. This keeps me going. Itâ??s the grace I received. On the other hand, Iâ??m by nature unconscious, so I keep going.â?
Twenty-three young people from five continents participated in the meeting and presented their proposals to their country's governments. Some of them explained to the Pope how they had lived during these days.
LADY ANABEL QUIí?ONEZ
'I had never wept with happiness before yesterday when I cried with happiness because Peter, the boy from Mozambique, said he did not like the pizza but he had eaten it all because it is not good to throw food away.â?
Several Hollywood actors were at the event and praised the educational initiative of Pope Francis. Richard Gere, George
Clooney and Salma Hayek received the 'Medal of the Olive' and have joined Scholas.
SALMA HAYEK
Actress
'I think he's the best Pope that has ever existed. How important he is in the world at this time, when the world needs such leaders more than ever.'
GEORGE CLOONEY
Actor
'The fact that Pope Francis and all you here are involving
in such a young age in the schools the idea that inclusion is the only way we are going to make it. I think that to me is what is so spectacular about what you all are doing here and I am very honored and my wife and I are very honored to be here with all of you. So thank you.â?
Pope Francis also met with young YouTubers, a group to which he belongs from his initiative 'The Pope Video,' which comes out every month. He asked them to work for a united world within the virtual environment.
POPE FRANCIS
'Try to offer a sense of belonging. One of you asked me: if a boy or a girl does not have a sense of belonging, how is it possible to help him or her? At least offer a sort of virtual belongingâ?¦so that in this way he or she will have an identity. A person without an identity has no future.â?
During the meeting, the Pope received all kinds of gifts, like these surfboards arriving from Africa which he signed, a special antique violin and a Scholas flag that had reached the North Pole.
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