Pope calls on young people to protect environment

Pope Francis on Sunday called on the younger generation to continue its efforts to protect the environment, The Associated Press reported. 

The pope made the remarks during Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the day focused on youth in dioceses worldwide, taking time to thank those who used their resources to “fight to ensure respect for the dignity of the vulnerable and spread the spirit of solidarity and sharing.”

“You have been entrusted with an exciting but also challenging task,″ Francis told the crowd of hundreds of young people, ”to stand tall while everything around us seems to be collapsing.”

Francis also noted that many young people have shared their criticism about environmental contamination, saying even in a world where people think about “present gain” and tend to kill “grand ideas,” young people have not lost “the ability to dream,” according to the AP. 

“Be free and authentic, be the critical conscience of society,” Francis said. 

This comes as Francis has started to speak on social justice and environmental issues during his daily messages, the AP reported.

In August 2023, Pope Francis is planning to meet with young people all over the world at the Catholic church’s jamboree in Lisbon, Portugal, the AP noted.