MANASSAS, Va. – In his recent address to the European Parliament, Pope Francis noted that education acts as encouragement for the full flourishing of the human person, ZENIT reported.

The Pope also cited education’s close ties to family and explained that his address was offered as “a message of hope and encouragement” for the European people.

Pope Francis reportedly said that providing Europe with hope “means more than simply acknowledging the centrality of the human person; it also implies nurturing the gifts of each man and woman.” He indicated that settings where individuals’ talents are able to thrive deserve investment, citing education and family as priorities.

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“The first area surely is that of education, beginning with the family, the fundamental cell and most precious element of any society,” the Pope also stated. “The family, united, fruitful and indissoluble, possesses the elements fundamental for fostering hope in the future.”

The Holy Father continued:

Alongside the family, there are the various educational institutes: schools and universities. Education cannot be limited to providing technical expertise alone. Rather, it should encourage the more complex process of assisting the human person to grow in his or her totality. Young people today are asking for a suitable and complete education which can enable them to look to the future with hope instead of disenchantment.

“The time has come to work together in building a Europe which revolves not around economy, but around the sacredness of the human person, around inalienable values,” Pope Francis concluded.

Authored by Kimberly Scharfenberger
Originally published here by Catholic Education Daily, and online publication of The Cardinal Newman Society.

Published with permission