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Pope Francis ended this Friday, November 22, a three-day visit to Thailand, 95% Buddhist country and where Catholics are ultra-minority, warning the Thai youth against " consumerism ", the dangers of technology. But it is his call for adaptation and the commitment of youth that has been retained, particularly vis-à-vis the more fragile.
It is to the new generations that Pope Francis dedicated his trip to Thailand . Upon his arrival, he delivered a video message to the young people who make up the Church of the country. " A young person can not retire at age 20 ," he said. He must be able to engage . " Live your life, build your life, act, move forward, " he still hammered, reports our special correspondent in Bangkok, Arthur Herlin.
At the mass celebrated the next day at the national stadium, the Argentine pope claimed that the family was much larger than that created by blood ties. He then urged the Thais not to forget the most fragile , he mentioned in particular the fate of children and young women exposed to prostitution, " disfigured in their most authentic dignity ." All those left behind " Are part of our family, they are our mothers and brothers, " he said.
"The scourge of drugs and human trafficking "
According to the pontiff, priests and bishops in Thailand must be concerned about the " scourge of drugs and human trafficking ," he said repeatedly.
The scourge of prostitution is very affecting Thai youth. It is estimated that there are nearly 200,000 prostitutes, 40% of whom are minors.
At the mass dedicated to youth, the pope encouraged young people to remain " rooted in the faith " of their elders. A message that went beyond the borders of Thailand, since many young people from Cambodia, Vietnam, but also China were present.
Message against " consumerism " and the dangers of technology
On the eve of flying to Japan, the 82-year-old pope also warned youth against " consumerism " and the dangers of technology in a Thailand that is keen on new technologies.
" Rapid technological progress " can " lead to the growth of consumerism, " he said. " We can be influenced by the voices of this world competing to attract our attention, " but they " end up leading to a void, " he insisted at a mass dedicated to youth in the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok.
Thailand is one of the world's top five Internet consumers, with each person spending an average of more than nine hours a day on their smartphone, according to various studies. A trend that could help to divert the kingdom from religion. And still weaken the 400,000 or so Catholics of the country, ultra-minority, but very active in the field of education and medicine.
The pontiff flies away Saturday for Japan. During this much more political second step, he will travel to Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where 74 years ago two American atomic bombs made respectively 74,000 and 140,000 dead.
With AFP
The main highlights of this last day of the Pope in Thailand are to be found in this article. Tomorrow, the Pope will fly to #Japon to continue his tour in Asia. #PopeinThailand https://t.co/0HBunx0qdL
Vatican News (@vaticannews_en) November 22, 2019