Cagliari, Italy, Sep 22, 2013 / 13:45 pm
Pope Francis spoke forcefully to the youth of Sardinia today, urging them to stay faithful to Christ and avoid the dangers of cynicism and hopelessness.
"You young people cannot and you must not be without hope: hope is a part of your being!" he told thousands of Sardinian youth gathered in the capitol city of Cagliari on Sept. 22.
"When a youth doesn't have joy and feels skepticism in life … where does he go to find a little serenity, a little peace?" the Pope asked. "You know, (to) these merchants of death: to those that sell death, that offer you a way for when you are sad without hope, without faith, without courage."
"Please, don't sell your youth to the merchants of death!" Pope Francis implored. "Trust in Jesus – He changes the perspective of life."