The pope spoke during a day trip to Palermo, which included a stop in the central-Sicilian town of Piazza Armerina. In his speech to the Catholics of the area, he noted the many "wounds" which affect them, such as social and cultural underdevelopment, exploitation of workers, lack of youth employment, alcoholism, addiction, and the loss of family ties.
"In the face of so much suffering, the ecclesiastical community may appear, at times, disoriented and tired," he said. Though sometimes, "thanks to God, it is lively and prophetic, while seeking new ways of announcing and offering mercy above all to those brothers who have fallen into disinterest, into mistrust, into the crisis of faith."
He said he recognizes the difficulty of keeping the faith in the midst of such problems and encouraged young people to approach their priests and bishops and tell them if they are having difficulty trusting in the Church.
"So many times, I have heard some young people say: 'Yes, I trust God, but not the Church,'" the pope said. "But why? – 'Because I am against priests.' Ah, you are against priests, then approach the priest and say: 'I do not trust you for this, for this and for this.'"
"Also approach the Bishop and say to him: 'I do not trust this Church, for this and for this reason.' This is courageous youth! But with the desire to hear the answer," he said. To priests, Francis said to "have patience," to listen to young people and dialogue with them.
He said the ministerial priesthood and the Eucharist are inseparable, because "the priest is the man of the Eucharist" and addressing priests, he encouraged them to "gather around the bishop and among themselves to bring the Lord to all."