Vatican City, 21 November, 2024 / 2:50 pm (ACI Africa).
In an address to participants of the first plenary assembly of the Dicastery for Culture and Education on Nov. 21, Pope Francis said desire, fearlessness, and Christian hope are remedies needed to overcome the “shadow of nihilism” prevalent in society.
Describing nihilism as “perhaps the most dangerous plague of today’s culture” because of its attempt to “erase hope” in the world, the pope told dicastery members that their institution should work toward inspiring humanity.
“Schools, universities, cultural centers should teach us to desire, to remain thirsty, to have dreams, because, as the Second Letter of Peter reminds us, we ‘await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells,’” the pope said.
“Understand your mission in the educational and cultural field as a call to broaden horizons, to overflow with inner vitality, to make room for possibilities unseen, to bestow the ways of the gift that only becomes wider when it is shared,” he continued.
Reminding his listeners of the Catholic Church’s expansive cultural and educational heritage, the pope said there is “no reason to be overwhelmed by fear.”
