Future priests and nuns in India need to have the mind and heart of Pope Francis to work for and with the poor, says an association of Franciscans in India.

“Today’s youth who are joining us for Religious formation in various stages throughout the country must understand and effectively disseminate the vision and mission of Pope Francis in the Indian context with special focus on those at the periphery, with other religions and cultures and with the whole creation,” says a press note issued at the end of a five-day national seminar in Vailankanni.

It was organized by the Asso-ciation of Franciscan Families in India (AFFI) along with the Bengaluru-based National Biblical Catechetical Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), Sept 25- 29.

“We shall guide our candidates who wish to be future priests and nuns to be in solidarity with those in periphery and the discriminated ones under top priority through interactions in slums and rural areas,” the press statement added.