Pope Francis challenges youth to SHOUT!

Pope offers encouragement for hopeful youth.

Pope Francis used his Palm Sunday message to the faithful to encourage the youth to keep and use their voices. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Pope Francis addressed young people during his Palm Sunday message, encouraging them to "shout." He warned them against allowing older generations to silence their speech and enthusiasm. 

The speech came a day after an estimated two million people marched in the United States demanding tighter gun control laws. The March for Our Lives protest was the second largest march in American history. People in the United States were joined in solidarity by people marching in several other countries. 

It is unclear if Pope Francis intended to address those who marched the day before, as he did not mention the movement by name. However, it is possible he intended to express support for their enthusiasm and activism. Pope Francis has previously condemned violence and school shootings in the United States. These remarks should not be construed as a political position on the pope's behalf. All violence is evil, whether it is in the womb, the classroom, workplace, hospital or elder-care facility, or anywhere else. All life is sacred and precious to God. 

Pope Francis encouraged the youth not to let their voices be silenced. He encouraged the young to shout as the people did when they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. 

"Dear young people," the Pope said, you have it in you to shout." 

"It's up to you not to keep quiet. Even if others keep quiet, if we older people and leaders keep quiet, some corrupt keep quiet, if the whole world keeps quiet and loses its joy, I ask you: Will you cry out?"

The crowd replied "Yes!"

Pope Francis spoke about how older generations can be tempted to silence the youth. "There are many ways to silence young people and make them invisible." 

There are a lot of social issues that need to be tackled in the present age. FIrearms in the United States may be one of them. There are also issues such as abortion, which take millions of lives each year. 

It is hoped the young will shout about that too. God has promised that a better world awaits, but it is up to us to work on the one we live in now.