Two weeks before he visits the United States, Pope Francis conducted a virtual town hall meeting and shared some words of encouragement and inspiration for the American people.
The pontiff imparted five important messages to the American people, according to TIME.
The first is that young people must stay courageous. Pope Francis spoke with 17-year-old Valerie Herrera, who revealed that she was the object of intense bullying because of how she looked. A skin disease has caused white blotches to appear all over her face and body, she said, adding that she tried to ignore all the hurtful words thrown at her by seeking comfort through singing.
She asked Pope Francis what he hoped from young people, and he responded with a request. "May I ask for you to sing a song for me?" When she hesitated, the pope urged her to "be courageous!" She then sang a Spanish hymn to the Virgin Mary.
Pope Francis then explained that Valerie's bravery is his message to the American youth: "You have the strength to overcome. Don't be scared. Don't stop. There's nothing worse than a young person who has retired before his or her time."
His second message is for single mothers. The pope told them never to be ashamed of their situation, even if society or the church casts them out.
"I know it's not easy to be a single mother. I know that people can sometimes look askance at you," he said. "You're a brave woman because you're capable of bringing these two daughters into the world. You respected the life you were carrying inside you and God is going to reward you for that and he does reward for you for that. Don't be ashamed. I congratulate you."
Pope Francis' third message is that he admires nuns. He might be the head of the Catholic Church, he said, but he cannot deny that women run the church. "I want to thank you... And through you to thank all the sisters of religious orders in the US for the work that you have done and that you do in the United States," he told one nun. "Is it unseemly for the Pope to say this? I love you all very much."
His fourth message is that people should care and show concern for immigrants. If there is one group he wants to address in the United States, Pope Francis said it would have to be the community of the homeless and the immigrants.
"We are all created for friendship in society. All of us bear responsibility for everyone else. And each one has to make a choice in his or her heart. And we have to help that choice to be made in the heart," he said.
Lastly, Pope Francis asked prayers from fellow Catholics. He explained that he wants to share Americans' journeys and the only way to do that is to forge a closeness with them.
"There's something very important for me, which is closeness. For me it's difficult not to be close to people. When I approach people, as I'm going to do with you, it's easier for me to understand them and help them along life's path. That's why this trip is so important, for me to draw close to your path and your history," he said.
