Bill Clinton speaks at Loyola Marymount graduation

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Former President Bill Clinton gave the graduation address at Loyola Marymount University Saturday morning and received an honorary degree.

Clinton, whose nephew graduated from LMU on Saturday, kept his speech brief and avoided serious politics, but hit home with a message.

"Will you define yourselves and your relationship to others in positive or negative terms?" he asked.

He touched on social media, living in an interdependent age and quoted Pope Francis.

"Pope Francis has fostered a culture of encounter. When we passionately advocate for the causes we believe in, have we anticipated all the unanticipated consequences so that we can take everybody along for a ride in the future we've imagined?" he said.

Many students said seeing the 42nd president was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some said it was also an inspiring way to embark on the next chapter of their life.

"Do well. Do good. Have a good time doing it, and remember it's the journey that matters. Set the world on fire," Clinton said, closing out his speech.

The school gave Clinton an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters.

His wife and Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton also appeared at the ceremony amid her busy campaign schedule.