Pope Francis: to young people, have “the nerve” to “speak out”

“Speak out what you have in your hearts. Speak with courage”, you need the “nerve”. With these words, spoken off the cuff like most of his speech, both at the beginning and at the end of his address, the Pope encouraged the 300 young people attending the pre-Synod to speak with parresia. “Do not be ashamed, you have to speak openly”, Pope Francis began: “I say what I feel, and if someone feels offended, I ask for forgiveness and move forward”. “Speak with humility”, the Pope encouraged: “If someone I do not like talks, I have to listen to him/her even more carefully; everyone has the right to be heard, just as everyone has the right to speak”. “In difficult times, the Lord makes history unfold with young people”, Pope Francis said, mentioning Samuel’s story: “At that time, people were not used to listening to the voice of God: they were disoriented, it was a young man who opened that door. Young people are not ashamed”. Young people, he continued, “have more strength to laugh, and also to cry”: “How many times have we forgotten the ability to cry”, the Pope remarked. “Please, be courageous in these days, speak out your mind”. “I invite you, this week, to express yourselves frankly and freely”, Pope Francis repeated at the end of his speech: “Once again I say to you: have the nerve to speak out”. “You are the protagonists and it is important that you speak openly”, he reiterated: “I assure you that your contribution will be taken seriously. Now I thank you; and I ask you, please, do not forget to pray for me! And if you are unable to pray, at least think well of me”.