Vatican City, Apr 26, 2019 / 08:59 am
Pope Francis said Thursday that although today has its challenges, especially with the sexual abuse crisis, it is not more difficult to be a Christian now than in other periods over the last 2,000 years.
"The current context is not easy, also because of the painful and complex issue of abuses committed by members of the Church," the pope said April 25. "However, I would like to repeat to you that today it is no more difficult than in other eras of the Church: it is only different."
Speaking to a group of young people from France, the pope underlined the beauty of their effort to strengthen their faith through a pilgrimage to Rome "with the apostles Peter and Paul and all those witnesses, including some young people, who suffered martyrdom for choosing to remain faithful to Jesus Christ."
"This is even more important because many people think that today it is more difficult to call themselves Christians and live faith in Christ. And you are certainly experiencing these difficulties, which sometimes become tests," he said.