VATICAN - Holy Father tells Italian Civil Service Youth Volunteers: “May you be persons willing to dedicate their lives to others and even suffer for what is good and just.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Dear Friends, what can the Pope have to say to youth working in national civil service?” This was the question that Benedict XVI used in addressing the Italian Civil Service Youth Volunteers, whom he received in an audience on March 28, in the Paul VI Audience Hall. “First of all, he can congratulate you for your enthusiasm and for your generosity in carrying out your mission of peace,” the Pope said. He then quoted the II Vatican Council Constitution “Gaudium et spes,” which in its final sections mentions that “Peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly.”
“Unfortunately, wars and violence never cease to occur,” the Pope explained. “And the quest for peace is always tiresome. In the years marked by dangers of a possible global conflict, the Second Vatican Council strongly denounced – in this text – the arms race...With this concern, the Council Fathers said: 'New approaches based on reformed attitudes must be taken to remove this trap and to emancipate the world from its crushing anxiety through the restoration of genuine peace.' (GS, 81)...Then and now, authentic conversion of heart is the right path, the only one through which each of us and all of humanity will find peace. It is the path indicated by Jesus...the path has not only been followed and is followed by disciples of Christ, but also by many men and women of good will, courageous witnesses to the power of non-violence.”
The Pontiff then exhorted the youth to be “instruments of peace always and everywhere, firmly rejecting selfishness, injustice, indifference, and hate, so as to build and – with patience and perseverance – work in spreading justice, equality, freedom, reconciliation, acceptance, and forgiveness in every community.” Then, renewing his invitation made in the Message issued January 1, on the World Day for Peace, Benedict XVI exhorted the youth to “open their hearts to the needs of the poor and do all they possibly can to come to their aid.” The main objective of national civil service, the Pope said, is one of formation: “educating the younger generations and cultivating a sense of responsible care for people in need and for the common good.”
Recalling Jesus' example, Benedict XVI reminded the youth that “life is a mystery of love and the more we give of our life, the more it is ours; the more we give of ourselves, our time, our resources and qualities for the good of others...” He then concluded his address by telling the youth to be “persons willing to dedicate their lives to others and even suffer for what is good and just,” not only now in their youth, but also when they take on more significant roles in society and have their own families. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2009)