Pope Francis joined an online meeting with students from universities across the American continent.
The main theme of the meeting was migration, including from rural areas to the city.
The Pope shared a personal anecdote from his time as a bishop in Buenos Aires. He explains his shock when someone told him that a number of families had settled in an abandoned factory.
POPE FRANCIS
'I was struck that they had good furniture. What happened? They were families whose situation gradually deteriorated, because they lost their ability to buy things, they lost their jobs and eventually became these nameless groups.'
The students also discussed with the Pope that his gestures and ideas are sometimes interpreted as communist.
POPE FRANCIS
'There's a priest who explained what you're talking about, and people would say, “No, this one's a communist. This isn't the way.” They give you a social label that cancels you out, no? The Gospel message is very clear. It is very clear on this, and it goes along the lines of change and social commitment.'
The title of the meeting was “Building Bridges North-South.” It lasted about two hours.
The Pope did not comment on the situation in Ukraine.
JRB
TR: CT
