To Primary School Children (11 September 1984)

On Tuesday, 11 September 1984, the Holy Father spoke to children in the Primary School in the Basilica of Notre-Dame, to whom he said, citing the words of Jesus, “Above all, love one another, it is by this sign that you will be recognized as my disciples, my true friends!” 

Dear young people,

In the depths of our hearts - with a brief moment of silence - let us already thank the Lord for the joy of this meeting!

You are happy to be near the Pope! Well, the Pope is also very happy to be among you!

You know it well: when people, young people like you, or elders like me, take the time to meet each other, to show friendship simply and sincerely, to help each other as much as they can, it is Happiness on earth! Precisely this fraternity between all the inhabitants of the universe is the great desire of the Lord. You know well that Jesus came and remains - mysteriously but truly - among us. With us he continues this project of universal fraternity, he brings us together and makes us members of his Body.

Of course, each of you cannot realize alone this world plan of friendship and unity between the people of the same country and between all the peoples of the earth. But each one must make his contribution, a personal, irreplaceable contribution. You understand me well, I see it on your young faces.

You are almost three thousand young people gathered in this House of the Lord, and you are all different children. Some are calmer, others more restless; some like drawing, music, others sports; many work at school with all their heart, there are some who have less taste and less courage to study; some have health handicaps, others have robust health. Different? Yes. But each of you has a place - a unique place - in the world.

And if Jesus were to meet you today . . . - but He meets you in a certain way through the Bishop of Rome that I am, following the Apostle Peter - he would still say to you: Oh, above all, love one another, it is by this sign that you will be recognized as my disciples, my true friends! Yes, love one another always more!

I am happy to have seen with my own eyes your symbolic gestures about friendship and mutual aid, and to have heard you sing your desire to love others as they are, others as they are. I have great confidence that each of you will advance, here on the land of Canada and even throughout the world, friendship as Jesus understands it: giving happiness to others every day . . . giving one's life. This is being done, it will continue, thanks to your personal and group efforts. But Jesus always helps you: in prayer you are very close to Him. In the sacraments that He has entrusted to His Church, you meet Him: since baptism, you have been linked to Him; you love to receive forgiveness through confession, you love to receive Him Himself and share His life in the joy of communion; The sacrament of confirmation assures you of the gift of the Holy Spirit, who gives you his light and his strength, so that you grow with this Spirit of Jesus in you and so that you take your active place in his Church.

I want to add one more word. I know that you all have your place in a family, in a community specially made for young people, in Christian action movements. Your parents, your educators give you what you need to live, to grow, to build your future; they understand you, they support you, they show you their affection. So I ask you to show all those who take such good care of you ever more trust, respect, kindness. This is how you will be their joy and how you yourself will know each day, not only the happiness of being loved, but the happiness of loving. Isn't all this magnificent?

This is what I wanted to say to you in our meeting. Dear young people, in order to help you live as brothers, as friends, with as many people as possible, I bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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