Paulina Guzik

Cardinal Fernández also stressed that listening to others is crucial before speaking out — to “open ourselves to other points of view.”

While the 60th World Communications Day will be observed on May 17, the text, published Jan. 24 on the feast of St. Francis de Sales.

He traveled to Ukraine 10 times under Pope Francis’ pontificate to distribute help and to “embrace” the Ukrainians and bring them comfort from the Holy Father.

Focus on approval, the pope warned, can lead to personal suffering, social division and relationships that are fragile and ultimately disappointing.

“Be assured” of Christ’s “closeness,” the pope said. “He is not distant from what you are experiencing” but “shares it and carries it with you.”

The pope warned that “many times the pain of the victims has been greater because they were not welcomed and listened to.”

We wouldn’t “leave newborns without clothes or food, waiting for them to choose how to dress and what to eat as adults,” would we?

“It’s very important that we try to build human relationships, good friendships, and above all, friendship with Jesus,” the pope told thousands of young people.

“Civil society and States also have a responsibility to respond concretely to situations of vulnerability, offering solutions to human suffering.”

After an intense day of roundtable discussions, the “low-batteried” but “very pleased” cardinals wrapped the first historic extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV in a spirit of fraternity