Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has told Italian Catholic youths in Rome to pursue their dreams despite job market worries.
Tens of thousands of young people filled Rome's ancient Circus Maximus on Saturday evening to hear Francis advise them to ignore adults who warn against certain professions, saying they are not in demand. Many walked for days to reach the rally.
Francis answered questions submitted in advance. One university student told him that a professor had discouraged her from pursuing her passion in art, saying that studying business instead would better for getting a job.
Decrying "dreams of convenience," Francis urged them to take "risks on that street of your dreams." He declared that "fear brings pessimism."
Francis has convened an international meeting of bishops at the Vatican in October about youths and their faith.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
