Speaking on February 7 to students from the Pontifical Lombard Seminary in Rome, Pope Francis suggested: “Let us ask ourselves, ‘What can I offer?’ at the beginning of every day.

The Pope observed that Pope Pius XI was once a student at the Italian seminary in Rome, and urged, inspired by his example, students would work “not to cultivate nostalgia for the and close ourselves to the newness of the Spirit.” He added: “Please let us not be barricaded in the sacristy and cultivate small closed groups.”

Raising a theme that he has often mentioned, Pope Francis said that the students had probably encountered confessors who “make your life impossible.” He advised them to “seek out merciful priests.”

In a reference to current economic problems, the Pope quoted from his predecessor’s encyclical, Quadregesimo Anno, decrying “an immense power and despotic economic dictatorship” in international finance.