In a poignant address to university students in Asia via video link, Pope Francis took a stand against body shaming among young people and revealed that he had been guilty of such behavior himself during his boyhood days in Argentina over seven decades ago.
The Pope’s comments came in response to a young woman from India who shared her experiences of feeling embarrassed and inferior to her classmates due to her weight and body shape, which had subjected her to bullying.
Pope Francis, during the virtual conversation, delivered a powerful message: “Regardless of you being fat, thin, short, or tall, the important thing is to live in harmony, harmony in your hearts… every man, every woman has their own beauty, and we really have to learn how to recognize it.”
In a personal anecdote that preceded his message, Pope Francis recounted a childhood friend who was overweight and shared how they had mocked and, he admitted, even bullied him. He recollected an incident where they had shoved the friend, causing him to fall. In response to this, Pope Francis’ father took him to the friend’s house to apologize, imparting an important lesson in empathy.
In a touching twist to the story, Pope Francis revealed that in recent years, he had reconnected with the friend, who had since become an Evangelical pastor. Sadly, the man had recently passed away, underscoring the value of reparation and forgiveness.
During the conversation with the university students, Pope Francis also touched upon the topic of cosmetic surgery, offering a perspective that emphasizes inner beauty over external modifications. He remarked, “Plastic surgery serves no purpose because its beauty is going to fade eventually,” citing the famous words of 20th-century Italian actress Anna Magnani, who once said, “Please don’t retouch my wrinkles. It took me so long to earn them.”
Pope Francis’ words serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity, showing compassion, and appreciating the beauty that resides within every individual, regardless of their physical appearance.