Pope meets Scholas Occurentes educational network

Pope Francis met members and supporters of the Pontifical Foundation 'Scholas Occurrentes' including George Clooney and his wife Amal, Richard Gere and Salma Hayek on Sunday. The Foundation is an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and religious backgrounds. The informal meeting, with testimonials, music, videos and a Q&A session with the Pope, took place in the Vatican Synod Hall.

The gathering came following a three-day meeting of representatives of the Foundation from across the globe, gathered in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican to talk on the theme: 'University and School: Wall or Bridge'. It marks the beginning of an interactive initiative launched by Scholas Occurentes with the creation of a website where it will be possible for teenagers to put questions to Pope Francis.

During the meeting Pope Francis received the gift of an olive tree; and autographed surfboards and of course answered questions. One girl asked him how to make the world a better place and Francis immediately said by "lowering the level of violence".

A young Mexican girl spoke of how she was harassed at school, another young student talked of a letter sent to her by a sister working in Africa which contained photographs of children who had been abused. In both of these cases, said the Pope, children and adolescents suffer the same type of "cruelty," that is why our world, he continued "needs to listen, needs gentleness, so we can all walk together". Warning against an increased risk of "nuclearisation" in the world, the Pope said bridges must be built.

He highlighted that words are not enough saying we must also speak with gestures: "a smile, a hug, a pat on the shoulder.... we must listen to others, ask questions, and dialogue will provide the bridge" he said.

Other topics touched upon regarded a hashtag campaign against bullying, a series of initiatives for the protection of the environment, the use of art and sport to promote Christian values.

Read more about Scholas Occurrentes here: www.scholasoccurrentes.org/