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Pope Francis welcomed thousands of children from around the world to the Vatican on Monday, sharing a message of peace and practical advice. The event, titled "Children Meet the Pope," saw the pontiff engaging with the young audience, some as young as 7 years old, in a lively and jovial manner.
During the gathering, children from 84 countries, including Ukraine and the Palestinian Territories, were pre-selected to ask the Pope questions that spanned from issues of peace, conflict, and the environment to more personal inquiries, such as how he manages his emotions when he's angry.
Addressing the topic of peace, the Pope encouraged the young audience, saying, "Let's work for peace, all of us!" He emphasized that peace-making starts with "an outstretched hand, with the hand of friendship."
Some of the questions were heartfelt and profound, with a young boy from Syria asking why babies are killed during wars without anyone defending them. A Palestinian girl inquired about the possibility of peace if a third world war were to occur, and another child wondered why the weather remained hot despite the arrival of autumn.
The Pope observed a moment of silence to remember babies killed in wars, imparting the importance of empathy and compassion.
Earlier in the day, Pope Francis shared his feeling of not being well with a delegation from the Conference of European Rabbis, opting not to deliver his prepared speech.
However, during the interaction with the children, he appeared in high spirits, signing baseball caps and shaking hands with the young attendees. He delivered advice on various topics, including wasting food ("Throwing away food is a big sin"), dreams ("When I dream, I am asleep, so I can't remember"), and managing anger ("When you're mad, before responding, drink a glass of water").
The event provided an opportunity for Pope Francis to connect with the younger generation and share his wisdom on topics that resonate with both children and adults.
