Pope in Mexico: Jesus would never send a hitman, Francis warns youth off drug gangs

Jesus never sends anyone out as a hitman, dealing in death, but calls Christians to be his disciples and friends, Pope Francis told Mexico's youth.

"Today the Lord continues to call you, he continues to draw you to him, just as he did with the Indian, Juan Diego," to whom Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared, Francis told tens of thousands of young people at Morelia's Jose Maria Pavon Stadium on Tuesday. Dozens of young people carried flags representing every diocese of Mexico present in the packed stadium or watching on big screens set up in a field outside. The pope not only greeted those present in Morelia but also thousands of Mexican youths following the event live from Guadalajara.

Echoing his words to government authorities earlier in the week, the pope reminded the youths that they are the wealth of Mexico and of the church. "A mountain can have rich minerals that will serve humanity's progress; that is its wealth. But it only turns into wealth when the miners who take out the minerals work on it. You are the wealth, and you must be transformed into hope," the pope said, in one of several departures from his prepared speech.

However, Pope Francis recognised the difficulties of recognising one's value when material wealth, fashion and prestige become symbols of one's worth. "The biggest threat is when a person feels that they must have money to buy everything, including the love of others. The biggest threat is to believe that by having a big car you will be happy," he said

The pope said belief in Jesus is a sure source of hope and can help youths fight back against the influence of drug dealers "or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death. It is Jesus Christ who refutes all attempts to render you useless or to be mere mercenaries of other people's ambitions," he said.

Jesus is the one word of hope that can help young people live fully and do their best for their friends, neighborhoods and communities, he said. While faith may not give them "the latest car model" or "pockets filled with money," it brings the experience of being loved, embraced and accompanied, which "no one can take away."

THE POPE IN MEXICO: ITINERARY WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY

08:35 Departure by plane for Ciudad Juárez  

10:00 Arrival at Abraham González International Airport in Ciudad Juárez  

10:30 Visit to a prison (Discourse by the Holy Father)

12:00 Meeting with the World of Work at the Colegio de Bachilleres dello Stato of Chihuahua (Discourse by the Holy Father)

16:00 Holy Mass at the fairgrounds of Ciudad Juárez  (Homily and greeting by the Holy Father)

19:00 Departure Ceremony at Ciudad Juárez International Airport               

19:15 Departure by plane for Rome (Ciampino Airport)

(all times local, click here for conversion)

Departing yet again from his speech, the pope recalled a song often sung by mountain climbers. "While they climb, they sing: 'In the art of ascending, the victory isn't in not falling, but in not remaining fallen,'" he said.

The young can be certain that Jesus always will stretch out a hand to help them up, he said. Sometimes he "sends you a brother or sister to speak to you and help you. Don't hide your hand when you've fallen. Don't tell him: 'Don't look at me because I'm all dirty, don't look at me because I have no hope.' Just reach out your hand and hold onto his."

In turn, a young Christian must "stretch out your hand" to help others in Jesus' name, particularly with "listening-therapy."

"Let them speak, let them talk. And little by little, they'll start stretching out their hand and you will help them in Jesus' name. But if you go in one shot and start preaching - and hitting them over and over - you leave the poor guy worse than he was before," he said.

Pope Francis urged young Mexicans to remember: "You are the wealth of this country, and when you doubt this, look to Jesus, who destroys all efforts to make you useless or mere instruments of other people's ambitions."