By Josekutty Mathew, CMF
ROME (SE): With a powerful and heartfelt message, Pope Leo XIV addressed over one million young people gathered at Tor Vergata, Rome, on August 3, to conclude the Jubilee of Youth—a week-long celebration of faith, fraternity, and the enduring hope of the Church’s next generation.
Arriving by helicopter just hours after the previous evening’s vigil, the pope rode through the field in the popemobile, warmly greeting the young pilgrims from 146 countries. The sprawling site, filled with tents and flags from around the world, came alive with joy and reverence as Pope Leo delivered a stirring homily.
“My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible,” the pope proclaimed. “A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.”
Echoing the spirit of St. John Paul II, who stood on the same site during World Youth Day in 2000, Pope Leo reminded the youth that “Jesus is our hope.” He urged them to live lives of prayer, community, and generosity, and to remain close to Christ through Eucharistic adoration, Confession, and acts of charity. He cited the examples of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, both of whom will soon be declared saints.
Referring to God’s invitation as a “knock on the window of our souls,” the Holy Father challenged young people to reject superficial fulfillment and strive instead for lives rooted in love and renewal.
“We are not made for a life where everything is taken for granted and static,” he said, “but for an existence that is constantly renewed through gift of self in love.”
Among the many international pilgrims were 140 young people from Hong Kong and Macau, who brought the voice and witness of the local Church to the global stage.
The Diocesan Youth Commission led a delegation of 56 participants, while the Salesian Youth Movement brought 30 young people, accompanied by Father Anthony Leung Po-taka and Father Carlos Cheung, of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Another group of 21 young people, largely from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, was led by Father Fabio Favata of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions. He was joined by Father Alessandro Canali, Sister Carmela Pamei, and Sister Lorena Brambilla.
“This group was only formed in January,” Father Favata explained. “Many of them weren’t connected before. This pilgrimage is a chance to strengthen their faith and community.”
Before arriving in Rome, the group travelled across Italy—visiting Milan, Florence, Assisi, and Naples—and experienced the beauty of creation during a rare hiking excursion in Lecco, far from the urban environment of Hong Kong.
On August 1, the combined delegation from Hong Kong and Macau gathered at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome for a spiritual retreat led by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., coinciding with the Jubilee’s penitential day at Circus Maximus.
In a prayerful morning session, Cardinal Stephen guided the young people through the Examen—a traditional Ignatian reflection—inviting them to revisit their journey, acknowledge moments of gratitude and challenge, and open their hearts more fully to God’s loving presence.
In the afternoon, he celebrated Mass at the Chapel of Gesù Maestro, offering a powerful homily on prejudice and grace. “The cardinal reminded us not to live our lives trapped by our prejudices,” said Father Cheung, “as such biases can often prevent us from truly understanding others.”
My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible,” the pope proclaimed. “A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue
Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Stephen encouraged them to see others through God’s eyes, to let go of assumptions, and allow grace to enter their hearts, especially when confronting differences. This, he explained, is true charity—the path where faith and hope are continually rediscovered.
In a deeply emotional moment during the final Mass, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for two young pilgrims who passed away during the Jubilee week—Pascale Rafic and Maria Cobo Vergara—and extended heartfelt solidarity to young people suffering the ravages of war.
“We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine,” the pope declared to thunderous applause.
He reminded the young people that their connection with Christ is the foundation of their mission in the world: “United with Jesus as the branches to the vine, you will bear much fruit. You will be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, seeds of hope wherever you live—at school, at work, in your families, in sports—with Christ, our hope.”
Young people from all over the world will gather together with the Successor of Peter… Let us continue to dream together and to hope together
Pope Leo
Following the Angelus on the same day, Pope Leo announced the official dates for the next World Youth Day, to be held in Seoul, South Korea, from 3 to 8 August 2027.
“I renew the invitation that Pope Francis extended in Lisbon two years ago,” he said. “Young people from all over the world will gather together with the Successor of Peter… Let us continue to dream together and to hope together.”
He closed his address with a renewed call to action for all young people:
“It is precisely the hope that dwells in our hearts that gives us the strength to proclaim the victory of the risen Christ over evil and death; and you, young pilgrims of hope, will be witnesses of this to the ends of the earth!”
