Ekip
27 November 2015•Update: 27 November 2015
By Magdalene Mukami
NAIROBI, Kenya
Poverty and unemployment are some of the reasons why the youth join terrorist groups, Pope Francis said in Kenya on Friday.
Addressing over 10,000 youth at the Kasarani Stadium in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, the pontiff told the Kenyan government: "To stop radicalization, you have to give the youth work and employment, if you, a young person, cannot work, they'll lead to activities that lead them to bad paths."
He urged the youth to stay clear from the path of radicalization. "Young people, we don’t live in heaven, we live on earth which is full of difficulties, the best way to avoid being radicalized is to talk to each other, form groups and unite."
About corruption, the pope admitted that there was corruption even at the Vatican. "In all places of life, even in the Vatican, there is corruption; it's easy, it's sweet and then we end up poor."
He asked the youth to make a start to end corruption. "Every time we take a bribe, we destroy our hearts and our countries. Please don't develop the taste for that sugar [corruption]."
He also urged Kenyan youth to foster better relationships with their families. "Our families are not always perfect, and are often reminders of the need for conversion, forgiveness, patience and mutual encouragement, families are schools of prayer and mercy," he said.
Pope Francis also condemned land grabbing in Kenya that threatens educational opportunities for the Kenyan child.
"I am aware of the serious problem posed by ‘private developer’ who hoard areas of land, and even attempt to appropriate the playgrounds of our children," the pope said.
The pontiff will begin the second leg of his African tour in Uganda.
