Pope's message to young people: don't let your phone distract you from reality

Pope Francis asks young people to wake up from the static attenuation of fixing a telephone to meet Christ in their neighbor.

"Today we are often" connected "but not communicating. The indiscriminate use of electronic devices can keep us constantly glued to the screen, "said Pope Francis in his message to young people published on March 5.

"When I look at things, do I look carefully or is it more like when I quickly scroll through the thousands of photos or social profiles on my phone?" Francis asked.

The Pope warned that he saw "growing digital narcissism" between young people and adults.

“How many times do we end up being eyewitnesses to events without ever experiencing them in real time! Sometimes our first reaction is to take a picture with our cell phone, without even bothering to look the people involved in the eyes, "said Francis.

Pope Francis encouraged young people to "wake up". He said that if someone realizes that he is "dead inside", he can trust that Christ can give them a new life to "rise", as he did with the young man in Luke 7:14.

“When we are 'dead', we remain closed in on ourselves. Our relationships stop or become superficial, false and hypocritical. When Jesus gives us back to life, he "gives" to others, "he said.

The Pope has called on young people to bring about a "cultural change" that will allow these "isolated and withdrawn in virtual worlds" to arise.

"We spread the invitation of Jesus: 'Get up!' It calls us to embrace a reality that is much more than virtual, "he said.

"This does not imply the rejection of technology, but rather its use as a means and not as an end," added the Pope.

Pope Francis said that a person alive in Christ encounters reality, even tragedy, which leads him to suffer with his neighbor.

“How many situations there are in which apathy reigns, in which people plunge into an abyss of anguish and remorse! How many young people shout without anyone listening to their request! Instead, they meet with looks of distraction and indifference, "said Francis.

"I also think of all those negative situations that people your age are experiencing," he said. "A young woman said to me: 'Among my friends I see less desire to get involved, less courage to get up.' Unfortunately, depression is also spreading among young people and in some cases even leads to the temptation to commit suicide. "

With Christ, who brings new life, a young person can become more aware of those who suffer by approaching them, he said.

“You too, as young people, are able to approach the realities of pain and death you encounter. You too can touch them and, like Jesus, bring new life, thanks to the Holy Spirit, "he said. "You will be able to touch them like him, and bring his life to those of your friends who have died internally, who suffer or have lost faith and hope."

"Perhaps, in times of difficulty, many of you have heard people repeat those" magic "formulas so fashionable nowadays, formulas that should take care of everything:" You have to believe in yourself "," You have to discover the your intimate resources "," You must become aware of your positive energy "... But these are simple words; they don't work for someone who is truly 'dead inside', ”he said.

“The word of Jesus has a deeper resonance; it goes infinitely deeper. It is a divine and creative word, which alone can give life to the dead ", said the Pope.

Pope Francis sent this message to young people from all over the world who will celebrate the local diocesan meetings of World Youth Day on Palm Sunday this year.

The Pope reminded young people that the next World Youth Day will take place in Lisbon in 2022: “From Lisbon, in the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, a large number of young people, including many missionaries, left for unknown lands, to share their experience of Jesus with other peoples and nations ".

"As young people, you are experts in this! You like to travel, discover new places and people and have new experiences, "he said.

“If you have lost your vitality, your dreams, your enthusiasm, your optimism and your generosity, Jesus stands before you as he once did before the widow's dead son, and with all the power of his resurrection he exhorts you: 'Young friend, I tell you, get up! '”, Said Pope Francis.