"Volunteering is not just doing: it is first and foremost a way of being, that starts from the heart, from an attitude of gratitude for life, and drives one to give back and share with one’s neighbours the gifts received". With these words, the Pope recalled the last meeting of his journey to Austria, the meeting with the world of volunteering, an opportunity to show "his appreciation for the many people of all ages who work freely to serve their neighbours, in the church communities as well as in society". "Volunteer work specified the Holy Father during today’s audience must not be regarded as a stop-gap measure to replace the action of the State and the public authorities, but rather as a complementary, ever-necessary presence to keep alive people’s care for the last, and to promote a personal style in one’s actions". There is therefore "no one who cannot be a volunteer: even the poorest or most disadvantaged persons certainly have a lot to share with the others, offering their contribution to build the civilisation of love".
