Have courage to take risks, engage with others, Pope Francis tells youth

Be constructive critics and seek to build things, pontiff urges young people

- Shermaine Ang

In an age where technology makes it easy to stay in one's own bubble, young people must build the courage to leave their comfort zone and take risks, said Pope Francis on Sept 13.

Speaking in Italian at Catholic Junior College (CJC), where he participated in an inter-religious dialogue with youth, the Pope urged the young to have courage to speak up and make their own way in life, while being clear-eyed about both the promises and dangers of social media.

"A young person who is afraid and doesn't take risks is an old person," said the Pope.

The 87-year-old pontiff, who is head of the worldwide Catholic Church, was addressing an audience of more than 600 participants from over 50 schools and interfaith and religious organisations.

He was hosted by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong and the Archbishop of Singapore, Cardinal William Goh, on the last day of his state visit to Singapore.

At the dialogue, three youth leaders shared their experiences fostering inter-religious dialogue in Singapore with the Pope.

Among them was Mr Shukul Raaj Kumar, 28, who spoke about his struggles creating a safe space for such dialogue in the face of criticism.

"There are many armchair critics who do not join our engagements or care about this work, despite how absolutely important it is to see each other as belonging to each other," said the chief coordinator of the Inter-Religious Organisation's youth wing, who is Hindu.