Pope Francis tells aspiring priests to 'not be scared of tattoos' and to use them to encourage dialogue

'With young people one should never be scared. Never. Because always, even behind the things that are not so good, there is something that will bring us to some truth'

Pope Francis says 'tattoos often signify membership in a community' (AP)

Pope Francis told aspiring young priests “not to be scared of tattoos” and to use them as a talking-point to encourage dialogue.

There was a problem with “exaggeration” where people are covering their bodies, the pontiff said, but there was no problem with tattoos specifically.

“Do not be scared of tattoos," he said, before pointing out to the 300 strong crowd at the Pre-Synodal meeting at the The Vatican, that for years Eritreans had made a cross on their foreheads.

"Also today we see them," he said. "The cross was tattooed.

He added: “Yes, they are exaggerations, but today I see some…there can be a problem of exaggeration, but not of the tattoos themselves.

“Tattoos often signify membership in a community. You, young man, that you’re tattooed like that, what are you looking for? In this tattoo, which community membership are you expressing?”

His comments, originally reported by the Church Pop website, were made during a question and answer session, at which the Pope answered questions and discussed issues that are facing younger generations of Christians.

He also encouraged priests to not be scared of and use tattoos as a way to encourage dialogue.

“With young people one should never be scared. Never. Because always, even behind the things that are not so good, there is something that will bring us to some truth.”

The comments come as the Pope confirmed he will visit Ireland in August.

The 81-year-old will arrive in Dublin to take part in the Festival of Families, a faith-based cultural concert, in Croke Park.

Further details will be released at a later date but it has been announced that the Pope will celebrate Mass in the Phoenix Park on 26 August.