The following is the text of the video message sent by the Holy Father Francis on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the international community “New Horizons”, founded by Chiara Amirante:

Video Message of the Holy Father

Dear boys and girls,

I would like to be present among you on your anniversary. The 25 years of life of an institution demand memory and promise of us. Remember the good that God has done in the institution and also that which God has done in your lives.

One must never lose memory. In memory we encounter God: the God Who has accompanied you, Who has enabled you to grow, Who has taken you, as it says in Deuteronomy, in solitude… He drew you out of the solitude of “howling waste” (Dt 32: 10), with the dogs… - and this is beautiful – and He carried you until now.

And then, looking to the future, because life does not finish here. No-one is born to be an “old maid”, in a spiritual sense. Perhaps many of you will not marry, but you must be fruitful, and give this joy of yours as fruitfulness to others. Memory and hope of fruitfulness.

I wish you many good things on this anniversary. And may the Lord bless you. Pray for me, as I am in need. And do not lose your sense of humour. Goodbye!