Pope Francis described the mafia and corruption as key obstacles to Sicily's development.
"The mafia makes everyone poorer," he said on Friday at an audience for theology students and teachers from Catania, as reported by the Vatican News portal. It is not only a threat to the island's natural and cultural resources, but also a cause of emigration among young people.
Francis appealed to young people to play an active role in shaping the future of the island: "Sicily needs men and women who look to the future with hope and educate the new generations to work freely and transparently for the common good in order to eradicate old and new poverty.
The Pope described training in theology as a special obligation "at the service of the people, the poor and the poorest".
With regard to the many migrants who cross the Mediterranean to Sicily and Lampedusa, known as the "refugee island", he said: "I urge you to be hospitable and creative in fraternity."
Students should do everything they can to welcome migrants and integrate them; this also applies explicitly to Muslim immigrants.