Gessica, what's your job with young people?
We have just finished the camp we did in Alassio with all the young university students, about seventy youngsters. We asked ourselves about the issues requested by the Synod. This is a Synod centered on listening, so we young people also listened to other young people. It was a moment of discussion, also to be able to understand what the needs of young people are and what the solutions could be.
For you, who are the young?
Young people, both those inside and those outside the oratory, need listening to. Of course, young Salesians may be more advantaged because they can find comfort in the Salesian Family. But those outside the oratory also need more listening to! We must reach out to them. The Pope continually asks us to be an outgoing Church. So, we must leave our oratory and go towards them. We must listen, listen without ulterior motives.
How do you see the figure of the Pope?
This Pope is the Pope of change! He listens to everyone: the young, the elderly, the ill, the defenseless. He listens to everyone. He is a teacher and he gives us the example to follow. I know young people who do not believe, but who value the Pope in an incredible manner. This is a demonstration that he is an example for everyone and this is very important for today's society.
In your opinion, what should the young people say to the Salesians?
Young people really need being heard. They are in a moment of crisis, they no longer know where to go and often do not know what to do in their lives. So it is important that the Salesians listen with an open heart, an incredible openness. We must not stop at appearances, at the logic of "we have always done it this way." A direction must be taken that is right for today's young people, who are not those of twenty years ago. It is a completely different generation, which runs the risk of distractions and futile entertainment. So, yes, I think we should grow in this sense.
