We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to

In the great currents of time, the voice of compassion has always risen above the clamor of power and wealth. Pope Francis, a modern prophet of peace and unity, calls upon us to follow a path of love and service: "We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace." These words call upon us not to seek our own glory, but to serve those who are most in need, to restore hope where despair has taken root, and to live in harmony with all. They remind us that it is through our actions, not our words, that we create a future where all people are seen and valued.

In the ancient world, this ideal was captured in the teachings of Confucius, who spoke often of the importance of serving others. His philosophy, built upon the foundations of humaneness and compassion, emphasized the role of the ruler and citizen alike in caring for those in need. The idea that leaders must serve the people, rather than be served by them, is a concept as old as time. Just as Confucius taught that a wise leader must be just and compassionate, Pope Francis calls us to embrace humility and to lift up the weak, the forgotten, and the excluded from society. It is in this service to others that we find the true path to peace.

Consider the life of Mother Teresa, a modern-day example of selfless love. She lived among the poor, not as a distant benefactor, but as one of them—immersed in their suffering, offering her hands and heart without reservation. Mother Teresa did not seek to profit from the poverty of others, but instead became one with them. She became a living example of the power of love and humility, restoring dignity to those the world had forgotten. Her life was a testament to the profound truth Pope Francis speaks: we must be poor among the poor, not just in material wealth, but in spirit—living as equals with those we seek to help.

Throughout history, there have been those who sought to include the excluded—not through grand speeches or laws, but through quiet acts of love and inclusion. The abolitionists in the United States fought not just for the legal freedom of enslaved people, but for their humanity, for their right to be seen as equals. They understood that a just society is one that includes all people, regardless of race, class, or background. Their efforts echo the call to include the excluded, to seek out those who are marginalized and bring them into the fold of our shared human experience. This is the foundation of peace—the recognition of our shared humanity and the willingness to care for one another, regardless of our differences.

Pope Francis’s call to spread love and preach peace is not just about grand gestures but about the quiet, everyday choices we make. To love and to bring peace is not always an easy path. It is one that demands sacrifice, patience, and a willingness to stand with those who are suffering, even when it requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Love is not a passive feeling, but an active force that compels us to work for justice, equality, and peace. The future of humanity depends not on the successes of the powerful, but on the compassionate actions of the humble.

The lesson here is one of action. It is not enough to simply feel sympathy for those who are suffering, nor is it enough to voice our hopes for peace. True change comes when we act in service of others, when we become the hands of compassion in the world. Whether through small acts of kindness, standing up for the marginalized, or offering our resources to those in need, we are called to live the message of Pope Francis: to restore hope to the young, to care for the elderly, to embrace the future with open arms, and to bring peace through inclusive love.

In your own life, reflect on the ways you can contribute to the betterment of those around you. What actions can you take to serve the excluded and uplift the suffering? Ask yourself: How can I embody peace in my relationships, my work, and my community? In a world that often values power and success above all, remember that true greatness lies in humility, in the willingness to serve, and in the love we give to one another. Let us heed the call to live as beacons of hope, to include the excluded, and to preach peace, knowing that it is through our actions that we shape the future of our shared humanity.