The Pope said that there is an attitude that is not Christian – giving up. It is a temptation "that paralyzes us and prevents us not only from walking but also from leading the way, not only from proclaiming the word but also from giving praise, not only from planning but also from risking change."
Later he visited the Metropolitan Cathedral and spoke with a group of children, many of whom are enrolled in catechism classes in parishes of the Archdiocese of Morelia.
The Pope’s third meeting on Tuesday 16 February was with about 50 thousand young people. After listening to the testimonies of four young people, the Holy Father repeatedly put aside the prepared text to express the thoughts he considered most appropriate at the time. To the young Mexicans he said "you are the wealth of this land". "It's hard to feel that you are the richness of the nation when there are no opportunities for decent work, study and training, when the young people are not entitled to their rights and end up in extreme situations. It's hard to feel that you are the richness of a place where young people are used for petty purposes, seducing them with promises that in the end are false."
"I was asked to say a word of hope, and the message of hope I have for you is called Jesus Christ" the Pope said. "When it seems that the world is falling around us, embrace the cross, embrace him." "Jesus will never invite us to be killers, but to be disciples."
Bishop Héctor Luis Morales Sánchez, Bishop of Nezahualcoyotl, spoke at the end of the meeting. He asked the Pope to bless the missionary cross that will travel throughout Mexico and invited all young people to be "pilgrims on the road of faith."
