Pope Francis arrived in Panama and delivered an inspiring speech at the opening ceremony to a huge international audience of young pilgrims, which included our own small group from Britain. Photo: Liam Parr

His Holiness said "Peter and the Church are walking with you", and said the global event shows that young people can meet each other regradless of their differences.

"You, dear friends, have made many sacrifices to be able to meet one another and in this way you have become true teachers and builders of the culture of encounter. By your actions and your approach, your way of looking at things, your desires and above all your sensitivity, you discredit and defuse the kind of talk that is intent on sowing division, on excluding or rejecting those who are not 'like us' ... On the other hand, we know that the father of lies prefers people who are divided and quarrelling to people who have learned to work together."

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