The Pope to young people: Karol tells us that the tests are passed by "entering Christ"

Video message of Pope Francis to the young people of Krakow for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Saint John Paul II: "a gift of God to the Church and Poland", passionate about life and fascinated "by the mystery of God, the world and man" , and "a great of mercy"

Karol was an extraordinary gift of God to the Church and Poland, a saint "marked by the passion for life and the fascination for the mystery of God, of the world and of man. And finally "a great man of mercy" who reminded everyone that the trials of life, and he had many, are overcome "only based on the power of the dead and risen Christ", "entering into him" with all one's life .

This is how Pope Francis presents to the young people of Krakow, whom he loved so much, like all the young people of the world, St. John Paul II, of whom we are celebrating one hundred years since his birth. He does it in a video message in Italian, which subtitled is broadcast in Poland at 21 pm (Italian time) by the state television TVP1.

Karol Wojtyla, the 100 years explained to the boys who have not known him
The memory of WYD 2016 in Krakow
The Pope greets young Poles remembering his visit to Krakow for the WYD of 2016. He immediately underlines that Karol Wojtyla's earthly pilgrimage, which "began on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice and ended 15 years ago in Rome, was marked by passion for life and charm for the mystery of God, the world and man ".

Francis recalls his predecessor "as a great man of mercy: I think of the Encyclical Dives in misericordia, the canonization of Saint Faustina and the institution of the Sunday of Divine Mercy"

In the light of God's merciful love, He understood the specificity and beauty of the vocation of women and men, understood the needs of children, young people and adults, also considering cultural and social conditions. Everyone could experience it. You too can experience it today, knowing its life and its teachings, available to everyone also thanks to the Internet.

The Pontiff who on 27 April 2014, on the "day of the four Popes", canonized John Paul II together with John XXII, conceiving Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, then underlines how "love and care for the family" is a trait characteristic of its holy predecessor. "His teaching - he recalls quoting his message at the conference" John Paul II, the Pope of the family ", held in Rome in 2019 - represents a sure point of reference for finding concrete solutions to the difficulties and challenges that families face our days ".

If, reminds the boys Pope Francis, "each of you bears the imprint of your family, with its joys and sorrows", personal and family problems "are not an obstacle on the path of holiness and happiness". They were not even for the young Karol Wojtyła, who, underlines Francesco, “as a boy he suffered the loss of his mother, brother and father. As a student he experienced the atrocities of Nazism, which took away many friends from him. After the war, as a priest and bishop he had to face atheist communism. "

Difficulties, even harsh ones, are proof of maturity and faith; proof that it is overcome only on the basis of the power of Christ who died and rose again. John Paul II has reminded him of the whole Church since his first Encyclical, Redemptor hominis.

And here the Pope quotes St. John Paul II in the document dedicated to Christ the Redeemer: "The man who wants to fully understand himself" must, "with his restlessness" also "with his weakness", "with his life and death, to approach Christ. He must, so to speak, enter into him with all of himself ".

Dear young people, this is what I wish each of you: to enter Christ with all your life. And I hope that the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of St. John Paul II inspire in you the desire to walk courageously with Jesus

Francis concludes by quoting his speech at the WYD Vigil in Krakow, on 30 July 2016, to remember that Jesus is "the Lord of risk, he is the Lord of always 'beyond'. The Lord, as at Pentecost, wants to accomplish one of the greatest miracles we can experience: to make your hands, my hands, our hands turn into signs of reconciliation, of communion, of creation. He wants your hands, boy and girl: he wants your hands to continue building the world today ". In the last words of the video message, the Pontiff entrusts all the young people to the intercession of Saint John Paul II, blessing them wholeheartedly

Vatican source Vatican official website