This visit is meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. Together with many people throughout the world, I have admired the heroic strength, faith and resilience demonstrated by so many Filipinos in the face of this natural disaster, and so many others.

A Christian who withdraws into himself, hiding all that the Lord has given him, is not a Christian! I would ask the many young people present to be generous with their God-given talents for the good of others, the Church and our world.

Lord, teach us to step outside ourselves. Teach us to go out into the streets and manifest your love.

Dear young people, Jesus wants to be your friend, and wants you to spread the joy of this friendship everywhere.

Suffering is a call to conversion: it reminds us of our frailty and vulnerability.

Even today, after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a third war, one fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres, destruction.

That which gives us true freedom and true happiness is the compassionate love of Christ.