Pope says Congolese youths need special attention, support

Published: 2006-02-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In the aftermath of war and in a situation of continuing tension, young Congolese need attention, support and guidance in developing the Christian values that can save their country, Pope Benedict XVI said. Meeting Feb. 6 with bishops from the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Benedict said, "Be courageous defenders of the dignity of every human being and bold witnesses of the love of Christ in order to build a more just and fraternal society." The bishops were in Rome for their "ad limina" visits, which heads of dioceses make every five years to report on the status of their dioceses. The pope said young people in Congo are a particularly "fragile population because of insecurity about the future, their experience of precariousness and the worrying ravages of AIDS." Pope Benedict asked the bishops to continue all efforts to "nourish their faith and their hope" and to give them a "solid Christian education."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .