Pope Leo XIV addressed thousands of young people from the Diocese of Rome at the Vatican, encouraging them to engage in politics and the Church with a "burning heart." The Pontiff emphasized that a life based on superficial 'likes' without affection leads to disappointment because humans are made for truth. Responding to a question from his niece about feeling alone amid global problems, the Pope stated that the young people themselves are the answer, affirming, "We are not alone!" The Pope greeted many young people who could not fit inside the Paul VI Hall and expressed sympathy for the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
about 2 months ago
Pope Leo XIV met with thousands of young people from the Rome Diocese on January 10, 2026, in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.1 2
The hall, seating over 6,000, overflowed, with many youth watching on screens in St. Peter's Square; the pope greeted those outside before entering.1 2
In a relaxed mood, Pope Leo shared a message from his young American niece asking how he copes with world problems and loneliness.1 2
He replied that the youth themselves are key, affirming "we are not alone" because Jesus is with us.1 2
The pope warned against "links without connection" and "likes without affection" that leave hearts empty amid online noise.1 2
He urged building real human relationships, good friendships, and friendship with Jesus, preferring in-person encounters over screens.1
When feeling alone, remember "God never abandons you," providing strength to reach out to others and share lives and talents.1 2
"To set the world ablaze requires a burning heart," lit by prayer, the pope told the youth.1 2
He encouraged joyful commitment to society, politics, family, school, and Church from the heart, resisting modern culture's pressures like advertising and "masks of disposable pleasure."1 2
"Don't expect the world to welcome you with open arms," but live authentically with Jesus to transform society.2
Pope Leo expressed sympathy for the young victims of a New Year's fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which killed 40, including Italians, and injured 115.1
He reminded youth that life is precious, urging prayers for grieving families and unity as brothers.1
Scout leader Virginie, 25, praised the pope for giving space to youth amid Church losses, emphasizing faith's peace through scouting.1
Riccardo valued developing personal faith via scouting and saw the pope as a "man of action," aligning faith with deeds.1
The crowd eagerly embraced the pope, exclaiming the Church of Rome is alive.1 2
Pope Leo urges Roman youth to cultivate authentic friendships with Christ
Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly called upon young people, including those in Rome and beyond, to prioritize authentic friendships rooted in Jesus Christ as the foundation for hope, genuine relationships, and resilient faith amid contemporary challenges. This urgent invitation resonates deeply with the experiences of Roman youth, who navigate a culture saturated by digital connectivity yet plagued by isolation, consumerism, and moral uncertainty. Drawing from his addresses during the 2025 Jubilee events and subsequent messages, the Pope presents Christ not merely as a distant figure but as a faithful friend whose companionship transforms fleeting connections into eternal bonds of love and peace.
At the heart of Pope Leo XIV's message is the conviction that authentic friendship begins and endures in Christ. In his dialogue with young people at Tor Vergata during the Jubilee Vigil, he laments how social media fosters "fleeting and often illusory" relationships, turning individuals into "commodities on the market" under the sway of algorithms and commercialism. Echoing Pope Francis's Christus Vivit, he warns that such tools can "lull us... to make us addicted to consumerism," leading to confused and anxious bonds. True friendship, by contrast, is "nowhere faithful but in Christ," as Saint Augustine teaches, where one loves God in the friend and sees Jesus in others. This Christ-centered friendship is generous, sincere, and world-changing, a "path to peace."
Similarly, in his Message for the 40th World Youth Day, the Pope describes Christian witness as arising from this "unique friendship" with the crucified and risen Lord, who calls disciples "friends" rather than servants (Jn 15:15,27). It grants "communion with God," affirms human dignity, and withstands even death. For Roman youth gathering in historic sites like St. Peter's or the Jubilee pilgrimage routes, this is an invitation to move beyond superficial likes and follows toward a personal encounter that renews the heart.
Pope Leo XIV addresses the "tragedy" of loneliness as a core poverty afflicting youth, exacerbated by digital fragmentation and moral voids. In his video message to the addictions conference, he highlights how smartphones and internet overuse breed new dependencies—compulsive gambling, pornography, and constant online presence—symptoms of "mental or inner distress" and a "world without hope." Young people, vulnerable to fear of the future and lacking "vigorous human and spiritual proposals," struggle to distinguish good from evil. He urges prevention through self-esteem, education, sports, and spiritual growth, fostering "positive relationships with their peers and constructive dialogue with adults."
To Italian bishops in Assisi, he stresses that pastoral care must "educate and dwell the digital world in a human way," transforming it into a space of "freedom, responsibility and fraternity" rather than mere usage. For Roman youth, immersed in a metropolis of ancient faith and modern screens, this means countering isolation—evident in urban solitude—with Church communities, families, and parishes that echo God's tenderness.
The Pope's exhortation extends to action: youth are to be "witnesses of communion, builders of bridges and sowers of trust" in a divided world. In Košice, he reminds them, "In every situation of our life, we will experience that we are never alone, for as children we are always loved, forgiven and encouraged by God." This certainty frees them from indifference, spurring generous love. Friendship with Christ begets fraternity, where the Holy Spirit reveals others as brothers and sisters, prompting "political charity" to heal inequalities.
During the Jubilee of Youth Mass at Tor Vergata, he likens life's fragility to withering grass (Ps 90:5-6), urging youth to quench their thirst not with "cheap imitations" but by encountering the risen Christ, who regenerates existence through self-gift in love. Even in tragedy, as with Egyptian pilgrims mourning a companion, faith in Christ's resurrection sustains hope.
Pope Leo XIV models this friendship through personal outreach, greeting youth before Masses, consoling pilgrims, and blessing gatherings like Taizé's European meeting in Paris, where he celebrates their "pilgrimage of trust." He entrusts them to Mary, urging the Rosary to experience divine love amid trials. Bishops are called to stay close to youth, soothing sufferings and sharing hopes.
In summary, Pope Leo XIV's urging to Roman youth—and all young people—to cultivate authentic friendships with Christ is a holistic response to digital illusions, loneliness, and addictions. Rooted in Scripture, saints like Augustine, and Jubilee encounters, it promises transformation: from isolated consumers to joyful witnesses building fraternal peace. By embracing Christ as friend, youth fulfill their vocation as pilgrims of hope, carrying his light into families, schools, and streets.