A portrait of Christ is represented on the pitch after a choreography performed for Pope Francis at the San Siro stadium during a meeting with youth as part of a one-day visit to Milan on March 25, 2017. (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP)
Pope Francis asked 45,000 children preparing for confirmation to promise Jesus they would never engage in bullying.
Turning stern during a lively and laughter-filled encounter in Milan on March 25, Pope Francis told the youngsters he was very worried about the growing phenomenon of bullying.
He asked them to be silent and reflect on if there were times when they made fun of someone for how they looked or behaved. And, as a condition of their confirmation, he made them promise Jesus that they would never tease or bully anyone, Catholic News Service reported.
Playing with friends taught him joy and how to get along with others, which is part of faith, the pope said. And going to Mass and to the parish oratory also strengthened his faith because "being with others is important."
The pope ended his daylong visit to Milan by participating in an expanded version of the archdiocese's annual encounter for pre-teens preparing for confirmation. An estimated 78,000 people filled the city's famed San Siro soccer stadium; the archdiocese expects to confirm about 45,000 young people this year.
Full Story: Pope asks children to promise Jesus they will never be bullies
Source: Catholic News Service