"And above all," he said, "dream! Do not be afraid to dream." Throughout history, those who have had hope in dreams are the ones who have won great victories, like the end to slavery, or better living conditions, the Pope said, and we should look to these people as examples.
We must be responsible for the world and for the life of every person, he said, because injustice done to any man is "an open wound" which dampens even our own dignity.
And in this responsibility, Francis continued, we must have "the courage of truth," even while we remember that we are superior to no one. "If you were the last to believe in the truth, do not shy away from the company of men," he said.
"Even if you live in the silence of a hermitage, bring into your hearts the suffering of every creature. You are a Christian; and in prayer give all back to God."
He also advised against listening to the voices of those who spread hate and division, saying that human beings were created for community, and to live together in peace.
Even though living the truth and cultivating ideals takes courage, never stop, be loyal, Francis urged, even if you have to pay "a salty bill." Your life, from your Baptism, has already been steeped in the mystery of the Holy Trinity, he said. You belong to Jesus, so do not be afraid.
"And if one day you get scared, or you think that evil is too big to be challenged, simply think that Jesus lives in you. And it is He who, through you, with his mildness wants to subdue all the enemies of man: sin, hatred, crime, violence; all our enemies," he said.
The Pope continued his counsel, saying that when you make a mistake, as humans do, it's important not to let it imprison you, but to turn it over to God, remembering that he came to save sinners.
And when you make a mistake again, "do not be afraid," he said. "Get up! Do you know why? Because God is your friend."
"If you are bitter, believe firmly in all the people who still work for good: in their humility there is the seed of a new world. Spend time with people who have kept their heart like that of a child. Learn from wonder, cultivate amazement," he concluded.
"Live, love, dream, believe. And with God's grace, never despair."
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Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.