The Dalai Lama opens up on Pope Francis, Tibet, aging and heartbreak in an exclusive Time Magazine interview

The Dalai Lama and Pope Francis have not met.

Spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama just turned 80 years old last Monday and sat down for an exclusive interview with Time magazine in Anaheim, California. The Tibetan Buddhist monk talked about his views on what's happening in Tibet, on the possibility of meeting the Pontiff, being old and aging, and how to mend the broken heart.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - The spiritual leader was asked about how he sees the gap and tension between the situations of those in exile and those still in the Tibetan plateau. He explained that it what is happening with the education, culture and living between and among those people is more connected on the personal level and not much on the central institution.

The Dalai Lama noted that although there censorship is imposed, people are still getting information, so the source is physically distant. With organizations responsible for the refugees and some getting their education and taking it home with them, there are ways for carrying their culture and tradition.

The Dalai Lama has not yet met Pope Francis, so he was asked what they would possibly talk about if they ever met personally.

"Recently he also has been showing genuine concern about the environment. Wonderful. A spiritual leader should speak - these are global issues. So I admire [him]," stated the Dalai Lama to Time Magazine.

When asked about how to find sense of purpose as we grow old, the Dalai Lama said that it is remarkable that older people are trying to do certain activities, blending them in with the young. As people age, he said, external beauty is not something important anymore but how they interact with everyone around them like smiling, joking, and playing with children.

"So if you age but then still feel bitter because you are not able to lots of things you could do when you were young, that is total, silly, unrealistic. Of course, the wider experience, the young people, youth, cannot do that - not yet."

The Dalai Lama explained that to practice celibacy also means people should know how to control strong emotions and attachments. "I always remember, in a dream, if... a beautiful woman or something like that, I remember I am a monk. It is very helpful."

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