“We all live together in this world, and we all have a common responsibility.”

Address by the Holy Father Leo XIV on the deck of the Bel Espoir for the young people of session 8 and the crew of the AJD, on October 17, in Ostia in the presence of Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline and the coordinator of the Mediterranean meetings, Alexis Leproux. 

«Thank you very much, Your Eminence, for your words.

I will begin in Italian to greet all those who live in Ostia and in this region, because it is truly an important port in the history of the world and the Church, as well as in the history of Saint Augustine and Saint Monica. Being an Augustinian myself, I have come to this region several times, because Ostia has always been a very important port, and it still is today because you are here! Thank you for being here! I greet everyone on this beautiful afternoon.

Now I'm going to switch to English.

I am very happy to have been able to come here this afternoon and to be part of this brief moment but of this very long journey that you, yourselves, and so many other young people, have undertaken during this period. Today's world needs, more than words, signs and gestures of hope. Just by the name of this boat, as well as by your presence here today, you are truly a sign of hope for the Mediterranean and for the world. I would like to center my words around three ideas that I am sure you have experienced during this time you have spent living, working, and traveling together on this boat around the Mediterranean.

The first word is dialogue.
It is so important to learn to talk to each other, to sit together, to learn, to listen, to express one's own ideas and values, but also to respect others so that they feel truly listened to. The experience of dialogue that you are promoting throughout the various countries of the Mediterranean is truly a sign of hope for the world, but also for each of us – and for you too – because you are learning to live an essential aspect of human life. This helps us all learn to respect one another. This is indeed a sign of hope.

From the dialogue, I would say that we can rightly talk about building bridges; not necessarily a physical bridge across the Mediterranean, but a bridge between all of us, as people of many different nations. I intentionally asked each of you, as I greeted you, "Where are you from?"«
What a wonderful experience it is to meet other people while literally traveling around the Mediterranean, coming from different countries, different cultures, speaking different languages. You have found a very human way of doing it. I am sure that, when so many people live on such a small boat—I haven't even been inside yet—you have to learn to live together, to respect each other, and to resolve difficulties. This too is a great experience for you, as young people, but it is also something you can teach all of us.

And of course, the third idea, which is so important – and some of you have told me you come from Palestine – is to learn to be peacemakers.
We must learn to be promoters of peace in a world that is increasingly tending towards violence, hatred, separation, distance, and polarization. We can come together, even if we come from different countries, speak different languages, have different cultures and religions, because we are all human beings. We are all sons and daughters of the same God. We all live together in this world, and we all have a common responsibility: to care for creation, to care for one another, and to promote peace throughout the world.

So I congratulate you all, and I am very happy to be here this afternoon, simply to share these few moments with you.
Thank you for being part of this sign sent to the world, which gives us all hope.

May your generation, and many other young people like you, continue to promote this type of initiative, which will truly contribute to promoting peace throughout the world.

God bless you all, and thank you very much.»

Leo XIV

Photo by Evan Demicoli