Pope Francis speaking to a Confirmation Class, whom he met last week said  to the girls and boys,

“ Think what a great gift Baptism is! And with Confirmation, what happens? You, who are preparing, what happens with Confirmation? It happens that all this is confirmed, that is, made more solid, stronger. By whom? First of all, by the Holy Spirit, who renews us with His gifts; then by the Church, which entrusts us with the task of proclaiming Jesus and His Gospel; and finally, by ourselves, who accept this mission as a personal commitment, as protagonists and not as spectators.

In this regard, I want to remind you of the example of a boy like you, a truly special one: he was called Carlo, perhaps you have heard of him, Carlo Acutis. You know of him. He lived in Milan. Unfortunately, he died very young, in 2006, at just 15 years of age, but in his life he did a great deal of good things in just a few years. Above all, he was impassioned by Jesus; and since he was very good at getting around on the internet, he used it in the service of the Gospel, spreading love for prayer, the witness of faith and charity towards others.

Three important things: prayer, witness, and charity. Do you understand? Prayer, witness, and charity. Let us say it together: “Prayer, witness, and charity”. I can’t hear you… “Prayer, witness, and charity”. Now I can hear, good. Carlo Acutis lived out these things with great commitment: he spent a lot of time with Jesus, especially in Mass, which he attended every day, and he prayed before the Tabernacle, so as then to announce to everyone, with words and gestures of love, that God loves us and is always waiting for us. Listen to this: “God loves us and is always waiting for us”. Do you understand? Let us say it together: “God loves us and is always waiting for us”. I can’t hear… [they repeat]. “God loves us and is always waiting for us”. Good!

So, boys and girls, as the day of your Confirmation approaches, I propose that you do likewise. Go to Jesus, meet Him, and then tell everyone how good it is to be with Jesus, because He loves us and is always waiting for us! What does Jesus do? [They repeat]. “He loves us and is always waiting for us”. You have learned, good. In fact, let us always say it, what we have said. Bravo! Keep it up, shout out this message to everyone: not only with words, but above all with gestures of love: helping others, especially those most in need. And what was the message? [They repeat]. “Jesus loves us and is always waiting for us”. You are intelligent and you have learned well! Thank you. “