To Young People from the Archbishop's Window (21 June 1983)

On Tuesday, 21 June 1983, the Holy Father spoke to young people from the window of the Archbishop in Krakow, to whom he said, “all youth are similar and are open to the same things, seek the same things, respond to the same things, expect the same things, because that is in the nature of youth.” The content of their dimension of humanity is truth and love.

My dears, I want to tell you that during these five years I have already traveled part of the world and wherever I go I meet young people. Somehow I speak to them in different languages ​​and they also speak to me and behave almost like you. And so these meetings of ours are very useful, in fact I must say that the custom of these meetings, wherever they take place, in France, or in England, or in Germany, or in Central America, I learned in Krakow. Yes, I learned about these encounters in Krakow, and sometimes I even say it, here and there; but I don't boast much, because maybe later they would want to imitate me. But I'm telling you, because you need to tell it, since in a certain way this is your copyright. I therefore learned the custom of these meetings with young people in Poland, and above all in Krakow, in the youth ministry, in the university ministry, in the "oases", on various occasions. I really liked this pastoral ministry, I really liked young people and I still like them.

Time flies, after four years the university changes, new generations arrive, new years, but in a certain sense the young people remain, even if I speak to the young people of 1983, and I think of the young people of 1973, or even of '63, '78 . . . Well, anyway those were young and these are young. I learned to understand these young people in Krakow. And for that I want to thank you.

Another thing: young people in the world are very similar, despite their differences. As far as communicating with young people is concerned, even language barriers are not so important. Of course, it is difficult to speak to English people in Polish. But as far as substance is concerned, all youth are similar and are open to the same things, seek the same things, respond to the same things, expect the same things, because that is in the nature of youth. Youth is a dimension of humanity: you possess it, you students and you who are not students, you possess this dimension of humanity, which is called youth, and perhaps we need to give a content to this dimension of humanity. A content of what? Of truth and love.

So: the dimension of humanity, of youth, and then truth, and love. All three of these elements must meet. Based on this principle we meet everywhere, regardless of the language barrier, where we come from, or the songs they perform: the common denominator.

I don't want to prolong what I'm saying, because there's no more time for long speeches. Lessons should end around 8am at the latest. If not for the students, at least for the professors.

And so I want to conclude what I have said here, to conclude with a wish; as I mentioned on Saturday evening in Jasna Gora, I am extremely concerned about young Poles. What am I concerned about? I am concerned precisely about this dimension of humanity in you, which is called youth, so that you may have this dimension of humanity, so that you may be yourselves. And you can be yourselves only through truth and love. And in this direction, in this spirit, I pray every day for the Church in Poland and for all those who are responsible for young people. I pray for everyone, so that they may be able to confirm this dimension of humanity through truth and love. This is the only way to the future, to renewal. The only way. It is the way that Christ has shown us. One can deny Christ, one can not know him, but the way that he has shown us is the only one, and even those who do not know him, who deny him, and we too will all go along this way, the way of truth and love, because only there is formed this dimension of humanity called youth. . . My dearest ones, I conclude for today. I ask you to sing the Jasna Gora Appeal with me.  

After the song and prayer the Pope added:

My dears, tomorrow is a solemn day, the beatification of two of our great compatriots, here in Krakow: the Servant of God Raffaele Kalinowski, and the Servant of God Brother Albert. I ask you very much to prepare well for this. Even if you are young and youth has its rights, please remain serious and calm.
 

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