Blend faith, doctrine with activism, pope tells young at synod's end

Pope Francis celebrates a closing mass at the end of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, ending a month-long meeting on the theme of Catholic youth, told young people Sunday that in order to be good members of the Church they should not be obsessed with "doctrinal formulae" but blend its rules with social activism to help those in need.

Francis said a Mass for about 10,000 people in St. Peter's Basilica to ceremoniously close the Synod of Bishops, officially titled "Young People, Faith and Discernment of Vocation" and attended by some 300 bishops, priests, nuns and lay participants.