Pope Leo XIV told around millions of young pilgrims gathered at Tor Vergata on August 2, that “friendship, courage, and goodness can change the world,” during a deeply moving prayer vigil held as part of the Jubilee for Young People.
The evening featured a live dialogue between the Pope and three young representatives from Mexico, Italy, and the United States, who posed heartfelt questions reflecting the hopes, anxieties, and aspirations of today’s youth.
Responding to a young woman, Dulce María, from Mexico who spoke of the loneliness many feel in today’s hyperconnected world, the Holy Father reflected on the meaning of authentic friendship.
He noted that while digital media offers unprecedented access to information and communication, it can also lead to shallow relationships when driven by commercial interests or algorithmic manipulation. “When a tool controls someone, that person becomes a tool,” the Pope warned.
He invited young people to look beyond fleeting connections and pursue friendships grounded in Christ, whom he called “the faithful friend who never fails.” Quoting Saint Augustine, he reminded them that true friendship finds its fullness in Jesus, where love, truth, and respect unite.
When a 19-year-old Italian student, Gaia, asked where young people can find the courage to make life-defining choices amid today’s climate of fear and uncertainty, the Pope replied that “to choose is not just to select something, but to decide who we want to become.”
He urged the youth not to be paralyzed by indecision but to build their lives on the firm foundation of God’s love. “We are free to choose because we were first chosen by God,” he said, reminding them that authentic freedom arises from the gift of self. He encouraged young people to embrace vocations such as marriage, priesthood, and consecrated life as paths to joy and fulfillment.
The Pope then paused to honor two young women, María from Spain and Pascale from Egypt, who died during their Jubilee pilgrimage, and he invited the crowd to pray for another hospitalized pilgrim, Ignacio Gonzalvez of Spain.
20-year-old Will from the United States raised a final question about how young people can encounter the Risen Lord in a world filled with distractions and trials.
Pope Leo responded by pointing to the power of the conscience and the example of those who nurture it with goodness. “Jesus is the friend who walks with you in shaping your heart,” he said, calling the youth to read the Gospel, serve the poor, pursue justice, and remain close to Christ in the Eucharist.
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, he reminded them that “those who believe are never alone,” because Christ calls us into communion through the Church. The Pope emphasized that the world urgently needs young people who are missionaries of hope, witnesses of justice, and bearers of peace.
As the vigil concluded, Pope Leo led the youth in a prayer of thanksgiving to Christ and encouraged them to remain his friends and companions for others.
“Stay with us, Lord,” he prayed on their behalf. He then warmly thanked the choir, musicians, and organizers before sending the pilgrims off with a blessing and a smile.
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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