The last public event of His Holiness Pope Francis’ day-long visit to the Italian island of Sicily was a meeting with young people in Palermo. The Pontiff exhorted the young faithful in the island to be hopeful about the future. He urged the young people not to extinguish their dreams, saying having great dreams dilates the heart and allows the Lord to enter.

As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Cutting a poor figure is not the biggest drama of life. The biggest drama of life is not facing life and not giving life.  It’s better to ride beautiful dreams with a few bruises than to retire into a quiet life.  Better a good idealist than a lazy realist.  Better a Don Quixote than a Sancho Panza!” Further, His Holiness added, “After walking, searching and dreaming, comes serving, which helps one to tune in to the Lord’s frequency.  Serving and volunteering, gives spice to life, and helps us feel alive.”

His Holiness Pope Francis told the young Sicilians that they are the builders of the future which is in their hands, and they should build with their hands, their hearts, their passion, their love and their dreams together with others.