The Importance of Listening: A Message from the Late Pope Francis
In mid-January, a month before his hospitalization, the late Pope Francis recorded a video message emphasizing the significance of listening while others are speaking.
A recently uncovered video, recorded on January 8, shows the late Pope addressing young people participating in “Listening Workshops,” an initiative founded in Italy by Luca Drusian. These workshops aim to bring together young people and adults to engage in discussions on various topics, highlighting the importance of listening and being heard.
The video was released a day after the late Pope’s Requiem Mass by the Italian weekly magazine Oggi. In the message recorded in the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis urged young people to prioritize listening, especially to their grandparents, as they have much to teach.
“Dear boys and girls, one of the most important things in life is to listen—to learn how to listen,” said the late Pope. “When someone speaks to you, wait for them to finish so you can truly understand, and then, if you feel like it, respond. But the important thing is to listen.”
Pope Francis highlighted how many people struggle to listen attentively, often formulating their response while the other person is speaking. He encouraged listeners to pay close attention and truly hear what others have to say.
The release of the late Pope’s video message coincided with a gathering of hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Teenagers. Cardinal Pietro Parolin invited the youth to embrace the late Pope’s teachings on mercy, emphasizing its role in fostering personal relationships and global peace.
As young people continue to navigate the complexities of communication in today’s world, the message of listening from Pope Francis serves as a timeless reminder of the power of attentive ears and open hearts.
