The Pope in Verona embraces an Israeli and a Palestinian who have lost relatives in the war

"Peace will never be the fruit of mistrust, of walls, of weapons aimed at one another". Pope Francis said this at the end of the meeting at the Arena in Verona. "Each one will reap what he has sown," the Pontiff added, quoting St Paul: "Let us not sow death, destruction, fear. Let us sow hope! That is what you are doing too, in this Arena of Peace. Do not stop. Do not become discouraged. Do not become spectators of the so-called 'inevitable' war. As Bishop Tonino Bello used to say: 'Stand up builders of peace!'".

During the meeting, Pope Francis embraced Israeli Maoz Inon, whose parents were killed by Hamas on 7 October, and Palestinian Aziz Sarah, whose brother was killed by the Israeli army, now friends and collaborators, who were applauded in the Arena with a standing ovation.

"The question is how can we be a sign of peace in the world? You know that right now the world is at war. There are many wars, be it Ukraine, the Holy Land, in Africa, Myanmar, many, many wars. And does Jesus preach war or peace? And what do we want war or peace? I mean we have to be a sign of peace, don't we? But if you fight with your classmate or schoolmate, will you be a sign of peace? It doesn't feel good. No, we must be a sign of peace, always sharing well, listening to others, playing with others, but not fighting with others. Let's say it together: we must be a sign of peace, together".

Thus, answering their questions and formulating others in turn, Pope Francis addressed the children and young people in the meeting in Piazza San Zeno in Verona, immediately after the one with the clergy in the Basilica of the same name. The Pope also urged the youngsters to 'go against the tide' in his response.