VATICAN CITY, Rome — Recognizing the important roles of seminarian who will later become members of the clergy and workers of the Church, Pope Francis has called on their active part in spreading the faith to the Global community.

The Pope urged those studying in the seminaries to draw inspiration from the 10th century Christian martyr, Saint Pelagius, who was killed in Córdoba for defying the Moorish authorities in Spain.

Francis highlighted the martyred saint's belief in the power of human free will, in contrast to the prevailing view at the time that humans were inherently sinful and in need of divine grace.

Pelagius was taken hostage by the Moors in southern Spain and held captive for three years and when the emir of Córdoba offered him freedom on the condition he convert to Islam, Pelagius refused, and he was tortured and killed.

Meeting with a delegation of seminarians from Córdoba, the pontiff told the future priests to let hope be the guiding principle of their lives.

"In the journey of life, we could identify hope as the signpost that marks our itinerary," he enthused during the courtesy call.

"Hope, he added, provides, a 'direction' in the lives of Christians, leading them "toward heaven, to the definitive encounter with Jesus" even as he reminded them that aiming for the top positions, . . . the most comfortable places lead to ", dead ends that if we have the misfortune of getting into, we must leave by walking backward with effort and shame."

In ending, Francis underscored the centrality of hope, explaining that "without such hope, setting out on the road would be madness, but trusting in him we have no doubt that we will arrive at the desired gate."

"Jesus presents himself to us as master, as Lord, he gives himself to us as food in his word and in the Eucharist, he repairs us when we have a flat tire in the middle of the road and he welcomes us when we are overcome by fatigue and must stop for a break," he stressed in conclusion.