Pope Francis says bullying in schools prepares students for war, not peace

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

Speaking to around 2,000 Italian teachers, educators and parents, Francis highlighted his message against bullying, asking the audience to commit to fighting the phenomenon, both at school and at home.

The pontiff praised the educational efforts deployed in schools to promote peace, noting that “imagining peace” lays the foundations of a “more just and more fraternal world” through “each 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 peace,” he said.

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