“The young people do not need us, they need God!” stressed Pope Francis to parti-cipants in the XVIII General Chapter of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph on August 26 in the Vatican.

Pope Francis underscored, saying, “The more we live in His presence, the more we are capable of help-ing them encounter Him.” The youth, the Pope reminded, have a great potential for good, and “just waiting to bloom and bear fruit if supported and accom-panied by wise, patient, and generous guides.” While it “is a great task that takes a lot of work,” he said that especially in our times it remains “indispen-sable.”