Pope Francis to young people: “don’t be duped by momentary fashions and fads”

The Pope and his Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Networkpresent this month’s ”The Pope Video”.Using images from popular youth activities, such as CrossFit, Francis challenges young people to go after their vocation to build a better world.

(Vatican City, April 04, 2017).- It’s always been said that young people have in their hands the possibility of changing the world, but few people have been able to communicate this truth as well as Pope Francis.

With his April prayer intention presented in the 16th The Pope Videoproduced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Francis aims to empower young people so that they “don’t leave it to others to be the protagonists of change.”

With images that reflect the parallel between today’s popular athletic activities (such as CrossFit) and the value in these pursuits, the video for this month strives to strike a chord with young people, asking this generation to take up their role in society.

“I know that you, young people, don’t want to be duped by a false freedom, always at the beck and call of momentary fashions and fads. I know that you are aiming high. Is that true, or am I wrong?”

According to the UN, by the end of 2011, the population of the world had exceeded 7 billion, with half of this number (50.5%) being under 30 years old. The UN speaks of youth as the “determining factor of social change, of economic development and technical progress. Their imagination, their ideals, their perspectives and their energy are indispensable for the development of the societies in which they live.”

“With the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and our youth branch, the Eucharistic Youth Movement, we are very eager to join the Pope in this intention,” said Jesuit Father Frédéric Fornos, international director of the network and movement. “In his message to young people for the diocesan World Youth Day of April 7, 2017 (in preparation for the worldwide encounter in Panama in January 2019), Pope Francis encouraged them to ‘improve the world’ and ‘leave an imprint that makes a mark on history.’ Once more, in his monthly video, he shows his confidence in the capacities young people have and in their generosity. He encourages them to respond to their vocation and immerse themselves in the great causes of the world.”

The intentions are entrusted each month to the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and The Pope Video is produced by La Machi Communication for Good Causes with the support of the Society of Jesus, IndigoMusic, GettyImagesLatam and the collaboration of the Vatican Television Center. It also has Aleteia as a media partner. Since its launch in January of 2016, it has had more than 13 million views on its networks.

The Pope Video is made possible thanks to the support of many people. You can donate at this link.

Where can I see the video?

  • Official site of the Pope Video
  • YouTube channel for the Pope Video
  • Facebook of the Pope Video

About The Pope Video
The Pope Video is a global initiative developed by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) to disseminate the monthly intentions of the Holy Father concerning the challenges facing humanity. The videos seek to unite people in praying with Pope Francis for those challenges. The Project has the support of the Vatican Television Center (CTV), sole owner of the rights. For more information:
About the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer)
For over a century, the Apostleship of Prayer has been publishing to the world the prayer intentions entrusted to them by popes. Now, in its process of recreation, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network emphasizes its role of communicating the prayer intentions and leveraging new media and tools. Its mission is to unite people in prayer and service in response to the challenges facing humanity which the Holy Father expresses in his monthly intentions. Those who participate in this network are encouraged to become apostles in daily life through a spiritual path called "Way of the Heart," transforming those who take that path in the service of the mission of Jesus Christ. Founded in 1844 and present in over 98 countries, the Apostleship of Prayer unites more than 35 million people in its network, including its youth branch, the Eucharistic Youth Movement. For more information:

About La Machi
The Pope Video is an idea of La Machi, a creative boutique specializing in communication to advance good causes founded in 2012, with offices in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Rome. Its mission is to help companies, NGOs, and religious institutions communicate their philanthropic purposes. It specializes in strategic communication, creative advertising, digital development, and fundraising. La Machi has been recognized as a "Friend of Project Red" (RIIAL) and won the 2015 & the 2016Mercury Prize for Best International SME of Marketing, awarded by the ArgentinianAssociation of Marketing. For more information:

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