SW News: Addressing close to 11,000 young people gathered in Budapest’s Papp Laszlo Sportarena on Saturday, April 29, the Holy Father told them that Jesus does not want them to be “lazy couch potatoes.” Instead, he wants them to be alive, active and ready to take responsibility. He reminded them that Christ would agree with one of their proverbs “Aki mer az nyer” (Those who dare, win the prize).

Pope Francis told young people that Christ wants them to accomplish great things in life, adding that He “never disparages our expectations”. To win in life, the Holy Father said there are two steps. One is to aim big and put talents to good use and invest them in the bigger goals of life. He reminded young believers that achieving greatness is not by trampling upon others but by serving them.

The pope said the second step is by having an intense dialogue with Jesus who is the best of coaches. “Jesus encourages you, believes in you and constantly invites you to be a team player, never alone but with others: in the Church, in the community, sharing your experiences with others,” he told the multitudes in the biggest indoor stadium of Budapest.

He reiterated the importance of distancing oneself from gadgets and social media to rediscover the power of silence, which is the door to prayer. In a world “bombarded with the message that we have to be fast, efficient and practically perfect, like machines, we have to learn how to stop and fill our tanks, to recharge our batteries,” the pontiff reminded them.

Citing the Gospel of John’s chapter containing the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, the Holy Father said faith springs by giving freely with enthusiasm and generosity overcoming all fears. We have to learn to leave things in the hands of Jesus just like the boy with the barley loaves and fish in the Gospel passage.

During the event, which was punctuated by musical shows and dance performance, the Holy Father also listened to the testimonies of high school and university students in which they recounted their travails and faith journey.