Francis to the US dreamers: Continue Dreaming
The Pope visited the Roman seat of the Scholas Occurrentes project, which he has already promoted in Buenos Aires. “Europeans are also “mestizos’ (mixed race). This isn't the time to pretend this is aseptic laboratory”
Continue dreaming. Pope Francis said this to some young dreamers, i.e. children of immigrants in the United States to whom Barack Obama had granted citizenship with a decision later abolished by Donald Trump. They are some of the young interlocutors to whom Jorge Mario Bergoglio turned to in video-link during the visit he made this afternoon to the seat of Scholas Occurrentes, an educational project for the social inclusion of the less well-off children that he already promoted when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. The project has not been extended globally.
“I am close to you because the American bishops have told me about your sufferings," the Pope said to a group of boys in Texas. I am a child of emigrants and if there had not been people who welcomed my parents, I would not be here with you today. One of the most beautiful things is to welcome a culture that comes from other countries, to enrich oneself with dialogue, to welcome the other. I’m not saying this, a much more important person than I does: God. The Bible is clear: receive the migrant, receive the refugee, as you too were once refugees in Egypt. Jesus was also a refugee. To the present dreamers, Francis said, "The first thing I want to say is that I'm praying for you and I am close to you. Secondly, continue dreaming. And lastly, be close to people who can help you and defend you at this juncture. Do not hate anyone; look for help from those who can defend you. I am praying for you."
About migration, more generally, Jorge Mario Bergoglio said, "I ask all peoples to help migrants, because they are the promise of life for the future. I ask migrants: guard the people who receive you, respect their laws, walk as brothers and sister on this journey of love". The Pope said to Europeans, "Do not forget that you too are “mestizos’ mixed race because of the great migrations of the times of the barbarians, of the Vikings. "This isn't the time to pretend this is aseptic laboratory". "This is the moment to receive, to embrace and -- to those who arrive, to respect the rules of the country that welcomes you." To a boy who asked him from Houston "why God sends hurricanes", the Pope replied that the answer is not simple but that we are all called to help each other.
Scholas Occurrentes is a Foundation of Pontifical Right and aims to offer educational experiences based on participation and personal commitment, according to a formative model based on encounter, dialogue and respect for diversity. The Roman seat, which the Pope inaugurated last June, is in the Vatican extraterritorial palace of San Callisto, in the Trastevere district. Among other things, some students from Palestine and Israel planted an olive tree of peace with the Pope.
The Pope has held a dialogue with young boys in difficulty from Mexico, Paraguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Texas, who have given their testimony on the support offered by the Scholas Occurrentes.
A revolution can be done in many ways, but here there is a woman who makes the revolution with a smile, I call it "smile revolution", the Pope said when talking about a Paraguayan girl: “Paraguayan women have great strength". In video-connection there was also the president of the Latin American country, Horacio Cartes. To change the world, one thing alone is enough: to change the heart and give life to a bridge of love," Francis said again. A great generous heart, one heart would be enough. To a boy from Buenos Aires, who had performed for him in a hip-hop piece, Francesco said, "Bravo, you have the ability to improvise. Change history with a free and not jailed heart. Then he added, "A drug-free heart, please drugs are not a solution". In another video-call, Francis said, "I don't know when I will come to Puerto Rico. It is not easy to prepare a trip. I want to come but I don't know when.
On the educational activity of the Foundation, Scholas President José María del Corral, declared in a note, "Rome, by vocation and history, has a universal role of dialogue and connection between peoples. Our headquarters in the Eternal City wants to involve the European institutions and the Mediterranean countries in order to raise the educational quality offered to our young people on a planetary level. Thanks to the Magisterium and the support of Pope Francis, we hope to work with all men and women of good will to give new generations real opportunities for growth and social inclusion".
Source: Vatican Insider - IACOPO SCARAMUZZI
Foto: Routers