The Jubilee of Youth in Rome, with Pope Leo XIV, drew over 100,000 young people to the opening Mass. An estimated 1 million pilgrims are participating in the jubilee's activities, including an evening prayer vigil and a closing Mass. Pilgrims from various countries shared their reasons for attending and their expectations of Pope Leo's message. Pilgrims expressed that the Church is a welcoming family and that the Pope should encourage young people to embrace their faith authentically.
4 months ago
The Jubilee of Youth in Rome, attended by over a million young pilgrims, featured a prayer vigil, a papal question-and-answer session, and a concluding Mass led by Pope Leo XIV 1, 2, 6, 7, 8. The event, described as "very alive" by attendees, brought together youth from various countries, fostering a sense of shared faith and fraternity 3, 7.
During the prayer vigil at Tor Vergata, Pope Leo XIV engaged directly with young pilgrims through a question-and-answer session, addressing their concerns about modern life 1, 4. He emphasized that true friendship, especially in an age of fleeting online connections, must be founded in God, echoing St. Augustine's sentiment that "It is the one who loves God in his friend who truly loves his friend" 1, 4. The Pope highlighted that social media, while offering dialogue opportunities, can also foster consumerism and unstable relationships 1, 4.
Regarding life choices, Pope Leo XIV advised that decisions are not merely about "choosing something" but about "choosing someone"—determining who one wishes to become 1, 4. He acknowledged the "climate of uncertainty" that can paralyze young people, urging them to find courage in God's love, which precedes and is greater than any individual 1, 4. He stressed that radical choices like marriage, Holy Orders, or consecrated life are expressions of self-giving that lead to true happiness 4.
To truly encounter Jesus, the Pope encouraged reflection on one's way of living, seeking justice, serving the poor, and adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament 1, 4. He reminded the youth that their "inner thirst" for meaning should lead them to God, who is "waiting for us, knocking gently on the window of our soul" 6, 8.
A central message from Pope Leo XIV was the importance of genuine human connection and the idea that "no one walks alone" 5. He urged young people to seek real encounters, emphasizing that "no algorithm will ever replace an embrace, a look, a real encounter—not with God, not with our friends, not with our families" 5, 9. The Pope encouraged pilgrims to "walk together, support each other, and inspire one another" on their journey toward God, highlighting the Church as a community where faith is lived out collectively 5. This communal aspect was evident in the vast gathering, which created a "cheerful 'commotion'" in Rome 2.
The Jubilee of Youth was marked by powerful testimonies from young pilgrims 3. Antoine Saint-Claire from France shared his profound spiritual encounter with Jesus that gave meaning to his life 3. Gustavo Eterno from Brazil recounted how music, initially a private refuge, eventually led him to a deeper encounter with God's love during Eucharistic adoration 3. Olimpia Iacono, an Italian physician, spoke of discovering her universal vocation to love through a mission trip and accompanying a terminally ill patient 3. These personal stories underscored the transformative power of faith and the desire to respond to God's love 3.
Pilgrims from around the world, including Venezuela, Scotland, Finland, Ireland, Peru, Brazil, and Germany, expressed excitement about the event and their hopes for the Pope's message 7. Many anticipated a call to authenticity, peace, hope, and courage in living out their faith and impacting the world 7.
Pope Leo XIV also acknowledged the tragic deaths of two young women, Maria (20, Spain) and Pascale (18, Egypt), who passed away during Jubilee events, and asked for prayers for them and their families 1, 4. He also requested prayers for a young Spanish man, Ignacio Gonzalvez, admitted to the hospital 4.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the youth to aspire to "great things" and "holiness," urging them not to "settle for less" 6, 8. He pointed to the examples of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, soon to be canonized saints, as models for cultivating friendship with Christ through prayer, adoration, Eucharistic Communion, frequent confession, and generous charity 6.
What is the Church's teaching on friendship?
The Catholic Church teaches that friendship is a profound gift from God, essential for human maturity and spiritual growth . It is a relationship characterized by stability, faithfulness, and a generous love that seeks the good of the other .
Friendship is considered a grace from God, through which individuals are refined and led to maturity . Faithful friends reflect God's love and provide a gentle, consoling presence in life . This experience fosters openness, understanding, and care for others, encouraging individuals to move beyond isolation and share their lives . Scripture emphasizes the preciousness of a faithful friend, stating, "there is nothing so precious as a faithful friend" (Sir 6:15) .
Jesus himself exemplifies the highest form of friendship, calling his disciples "friends" rather than servants (Jn 15:15) , . Through His grace, believers are elevated to truly become His friends . This friendship with Christ involves a deep communion of wills, where one's will increasingly conforms to His , . As Pope Benedict XVI explained, "my will grows together with his will, and his will becomes mine: this is how I become truly myself" . This alignment with God's will leads to true freedom and joy .
Jesus reveals His heart and truth to His friends, entrusting them with His message, light, and love , . He shares all that He hears from the Father, demonstrating full trust and knowledge . This intimate relationship is the most beautiful aspect of being a Christian and a priest: becoming a friend of the Lord Jesus and discovering Him as a friend in one's heart .
Friendship, in its profound form, is a stable, firm, and faithful relationship that matures over time . It involves mutual openness, trust, and a shared pursuit of good . While love can take many forms, including familial bonds, profound friendship is a unique and deep connection, possible with a select few . This type of friendship, whether between members of the same or opposite sex, is highly valued and to be honored and respected .
The love inherent in friendship reflects God's steadfast and generous love for humanity . It is a sign of God's presence, mirroring the mutual relationships within the Holy Trinity . As images of this divine reality, the noblest act is to give oneself to another in love .
Friendship with Christ is not merely for personal benefit but carries a commission to "go forth and bear fruit" (Jn 15:16) , . This involves a "holy restlessness" to share the gift of faith and friendship with Christ with others . Believers are called to step outside themselves and bring the Gospel to the world, allowing it to pervade everything and open the world to God's kingdom . The love and friendship received from God are meant to be shared, as "we have received the faith to give it to others" . The lasting fruit of this endeavor is the human soul, created for eternity .
In essence, the Church teaches that friendship, especially with Christ, is a transformative journey that leads to deeper communion with God and a generous outreach to others, reflecting God's own self-giving love , , .