As the Catholic Church enters a sacred moment of transition following the funeral of Pope Francis, Catholic youth from around the world have issued a powerful joint statement ahead of the conclave, expressing their hopes, prayers, and vision for the future leadership of the Church.
Initiated by two international Catholic youth movements—Pax Romana—International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS/MIEC) and International Young Catholic Students (IYCS/JECI)—and allied youth organizations like International Youth Training Center (IYTC)-Chiangmai, the statement reflects the voices of young Catholics from diverse cultures, united in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit.
In this statement, young people honor the legacy of Pope Francis—his commitment to peace, social justice, synodality, and care for creation—and call upon the College of Cardinals to discern a new Shepherd who will continue this prophetic path with humility, courage, and deep closeness to the poor and the young.
“We urge the College of Cardinals to read the signs of the times and elect a shepherd who embodies humility, boldness, and closeness to people at the peripheries and young people that Christ exemplified,” the youth movements said.
The youth appeal also includes a prayer for the Conclave, asking the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals in their decision-making and renew the face of the Church and the Earth.
Catholic youth are further invited to join in prayer, share their reflections, and endorse the statement through the following link:
https://forms.gle/aye58mrtePwxRurJ6
Key Hopes for the Next Pope:
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Have a listening heart open to the voices of the young and marginalized.
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A prophetic commitment to peace, justice, and ecological care.
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An inclusive church that welcomes all in dignity and love.
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Synodal leadership grounded in shared responsibility.
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Support for youth formation, education, and faith-based action for justice.
This global youth statement has been endorsed by numerous local, national, and international movements and student groups from across continents and will remain open for further signatures.
As the world watches and prays, Catholic youth are actively participating in this historic moment with faith, hope, and commitment.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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