Pope Leo to Peruvian young people: Be Christ's 'salt and light'
Pope Leo XIV addressed more than 4,000 participants at Peru's National Youth Day, urging them to be courageous and live united in Christ. He called on young people to act as "salt and light" and to share their experience beyond social media. The event in Chulucanas aims to strengthen personal relationships with Jesus and promote a synodal, missionary Church. The Pope thanked participants, invited them to receive God's gifts, and encouraged them to be instruments of hope.
2 months ago
Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to the participants of Peru’s National Youth Day (JNJ 2026) in Chulucanas, urging young people to become “Christ’s salt and light,” to share hope, and to live in courageous, communal witness of the Gospel. 1
The National Youth Day took place from 30 July to 2 August 2026 in Chulucanas, Piura, gathering over 4,000 participants—including youth, bishops, priests, and religious—from across Peru. 1
In his address, Pope Leo XIV thanked the attendees for their enthusiasm and described the gathering as one that “renews and strengthens the life of the Church.” He highlighted the event’s motto, “Be courageous, Christ is alive,” and called on young people to bear witness to the reality of a living Christ. 1
Before giving his Apostolic Blessing, the Pope entrusted the youth to the intercession of Our Lady of Evangelization, praying that they become “Christ’s ‘salt and light’ in this beloved land of Peru.” He invited them to be instruments of rekindling hope for those who suffer. 1
Pope Leo XIV’s message to Peruvian youth combined gratitude, encouragement for courageous communal living, and a clear summons to embody and spread Christ’s hope throughout Peru and beyond. 1
Catholic youth must embody Christ’s salt and light
Catholic youth are called to embody Christ’s “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” not as a slogan, but as a description of Christian identity and mission: they preserve what would otherwise decay, and they make divine truth visible through lived conduct—especially when life is difficult.
In the Gospel (Mt 5:13-14), Jesus attaches two concrete images to his disciples:
John Paul II explains that in the Gospel, “salt” refers to preservation from the corruption of sin and death and to the spiritual wholeness of a disciple, who enlivens and elevates humanity through divine grace.
Aquinas develops the same point: disciples are compared to salt because they deter evils and preserve from “rotting”; salt also curbs carnal desires through apostolic teaching and thereby prevents spiritual decay.
For John Paul II, “light” is not only knowledge from divine revelation but also everyday wisdom in action—the kind of wisdom that shapes conduct and leads people to God.
This light is meant to be public and effective, not hidden: Aquinas stresses the instruction that light must be shown so that others see and God is glorified.
These words do not first describe sociological usefulness; they describe the supernatural identity of Christians as Christ’s witnesses.
John Paul II reads Jesus’ words as addressed to “each of us”—today’s disciples included—so that God’s works are seen through faith’s “enlightened eyes,” and apostolic testimony makes “the things of God” visible to others.
John Paul II connects “salt and light” with Christian witness that is both personal and ecclesial: salt and light are needed so that unity is built out of diversity, and the Church grows throughout the world through the power of the Spirit and a “variety of ministries.”
Even when the mission is entrusted to youth, John Paul II insists on Christ’s uniqueness: “it is Christ alone” who can be fully called salt and light, because without him human life becomes insipid and weak. Disciples are called to share in Christ’s mission, receiving light and “savor” from him.
To “embody” salt and light means more than sentiment—it requires coherence between faith and daily choices.
John Paul II offers a concise criterion: “Salt signifies consistency between faith and works.” It also signifies inner Christian unity and spiritual maturity.
Light is described as wisdom that comes from living faith, shaping life and conduct so that it enlightens those who live by faith and leads others to God.
Aquinas likewise emphasizes that the “light” should be expressed in visible good works so that people glorify the Father.
John Paul II’s address to youth links “light” and “salt” with concrete spiritual practices and moral realism:
The Gospel image includes a warning: salt that loses its taste is useless.
Aquinas directly frames Mt 5:13 (“if the salt lose its savor…”) as a warning about losing virtue and falling into sin, because what loses its power loses its usefulness.
John Paul II stresses that apostolic testimony is necessary so God’s works can be seen even within personal complexity (“within the depths of our personal ‘I’”) and in how disciples interpret reality by faith.
Pope Leo XIV similarly emphasizes that it is not always easy to be light, particularly in contexts marked by war and instability; youth must radiate Christ’s light and trust that the Church supports them.
Catholic youth witness is not only private morality; it has social consequences—especially through fraternity and peace.
Pope Leo XIV teaches that a young Christian becomes a source of light in joy and trial, giving “flavor” to reality without seeking wealth, pleasure, or power as the source of meaning; this freedom comes from faith.
He also frames light in terms of what it does for others:
In his message for World Youth Day, Pope Leo XIV describes friendship with Christ as producing a way of life bearing the character of fraternity, bringing selfless closeness, compassion, and genuine tenderness—witness that helps cast off indifference and spiritual laziness.
Putting these sources together, “salt and light” for Catholic youth entails:
In short: Catholic youth must embody Christ’s salt and light by living in a way that keeps the soul from corruption and makes divine truth and charity visible—especially in the very real darkness and pressures of their time.