Pope: 'The church has faith in the young'

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VATICAN CITY, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Economic difficulties around the world have left many young people with little hope for the future, Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday at the Vatican.

The pope addressed the Pontifical Cultural Council, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. He said there was a danger of young people being "marginalized."

"If the young no longer hoped and progressed, if they did not put their energies, vitality, their capacity to anticipate the future, into the historical dynamics, we would see humanity withdrawing into itself, devoid of faith and a positive attitude towards the future," Benedict told the council. "The church has faith in the young, it hopes in them and in their energies, it needs them and their vitality to continue to live with renewed impulse the mission bestowed upon them by Christ."