Pope Francis says bullying at school prepares students for war, not peace

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis warned that bullying in schools prepares students for war rather than peace, in a speech to Catholic educators gathered at the Vatican on Saturday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/01/2025 (648 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis warned that bullying in schools prepares students for war rather than peace, in a speech to Catholic educators gathered at the Vatican on Saturday.

Speaking to about 2,000 Italian teachers, educators and parents, Francis stressed his message against bullying, asking the audience to pledge to fight against it both at school and at home.

The pontiff praised educational efforts at schools to promote peace, noting that “imagining peace” lays the foundations for “a more just and fraternal world” through “every subject taught and through the creativity of children and young people.”

Pope Francis leaves after an audience with Catholic associations of teachers and students' parents in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Francis leaves after an audience with Catholic associations of teachers and students' parents in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

“But if, at school, you wage war among yourselves or engage in bullying, you are preparing for war, not for peace,” he said

The pope also called for more dialogue within families, emphasizing that “it is dialogue that makes us grow.”

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Pope Francis leaves after an audience with Catholic associations of teachers and students' parents in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis says bullying at school prepares students for war, not peace

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Pope Francis says bullying at school prepares students for war, not peace

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis warned that bullying in schools prepares students for war rather than peace, in a speech to Catholic educators gathered at the Vatican on Saturday.

Speaking to about 2,000 Italian teachers, educators and parents, Francis stressed his message against bullying, asking the audience to pledge to fight against it both at school and at home.

The pontiff praised educational efforts at schools to promote peace, noting that “imagining peace” lays the foundations for “a more just and fraternal world” through “every subject taught and through the creativity of children and young people.”

“But if, at school, you wage war among yourselves or engage in bullying, you are preparing for war, not for peace,” he said

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