Statement regarding remarks by Pope Francis at World Youth Day

The Detroit Archdiocese expresses gratitude to Pope Francis for being with young people from Detroit, who joined with millions from around the world, for the celebration of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It is heartening and notable that so many youths from so many countries came to hear the Holy Father encourage them to make their lives a witness to Christ in the world, and within the Catholic Church. He spoke about importance of the Sacrament of Marriage and the need for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. And, on several occasions, the pope returned to a recurring theme of his papacy — solidarity with the poor and the less fortunate among us. He urged the young people to honor their Gospel charge and “…break down evil and violence, to destroy and overthrow the barriers of selfishness, intolerance and hatred."

On the return flight, Pope Francis also answered many questions. In doing so, the Holy Father simply reiterated traditional catholic teaching regarding homosexuality as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraphs 2357-2359).