Pope Leo XIV shares his vision for the youth urging them to reject division, embrace authentic friendship with Christ, and work to heal a fractured world
Newsroom (07/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Pope Leo XIV shares his vision for the youth on the occasion of the 40th World Youth Day, urging them to reject division, embrace authentic friendship with Christ, and actively work to heal a fractured world. Below is the full interview, conducted on October 7, 2025, following the release of his message for the upcoming World Youth Day on November 23.
Interviewer: Holy Father, thank you for speaking with us today. Your message for the 40th World Youth Day, themed “You also bear witness, because you have been with me” (John 15:27), resonates deeply with young people. What inspired this message, and what do you hope it ignites in the hearts of the youth?
Pope Leo XIV: Thank you for having me. My heart is full of gratitude for the young people who joined us in Rome for the Jubilee events this past summer. Their energy, their faith, their fremito—that inner trembling before injustice—moved me deeply. This message is an invitation for them to channel that passion into action, to live as true friends of Christ. I want them to know they are not alone in their search for truth, beauty, joy, and peace. Their desires are heard, and Christ walks with them, calling them to a life of witness that transforms both their hearts and the world.
Interviewer: You speak of this “fremito,” a restlessness in young people facing discrimination and injustice. How can they respond to this inner call in a world that often feels overwhelming?
Pope Leo XIV: The “fremito” is a gift—it’s the Spirit stirring their hearts against what is wrong. But the answer isn’t found in endless scrolling on their phones, which can drain the mind and empty the heart. It’s found in going out—out of themselves, out of their comfort zones, toward others. Young people must become missionaries of Christ’s love, walking alongside their peers, especially those suffering from violence, displacement, or lack of opportunity. This is how they live out their friendship with Jesus: by seeing others as brothers and sisters, by acting with compassion and tenderness.
Interviewer: You emphasize friendship with Christ as the foundation of this witness. Can you elaborate on what this friendship looks like for young people today?
Pope Leo XIV: It’s not about being a servant or an activist for a cause—it’s about being a friend, spontaneous and joyful. Jesus doesn’t want followers who seek the spotlight or collect fans. He wants friends who listen to His heart, who share His life. This friendship is eternal, rooted in the Risen Christ, and it reveals our dignity and the dignity of others. Like the Apostle John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” every young person is invited to sit close to Him, to know they are loved, and to let that love overflow into their actions.
Interviewer: You also warn against “false teachers” and those who use faith to divide. How can young people discern the right path in a world full of competing voices?
Pope Leo XIV: The temptation is real—whether it’s the distraction of endless scrolling or the manipulation of faith to sow division. Young people must stay rooted in Christ’s friendship, which is humble and free. Look to John the Baptist: he didn’t seek the stage; he pointed to Jesus. True witnesses speak truth, even to the powerful, without seeking personal glory. I urge the youth not to follow those who twist faith to exclude or polarize. Instead, they should organize, volunteer, and work for justice, building bridges in communities torn apart by inequality or oppression.
Interviewer: Your message acknowledges the struggles young people face—war, migration, social pressures, personal mistakes. How can they find hope amid such challenges?
Pope Leo XIV: The struggles are real, and my heart aches for those separated from loved ones, forced to flee, or denied education and basic needs. Yet, Christ is near. He knows their hearts, their pain, their hopes. Through prayer, especially the Rosary, they can experience that they are never alone—they are beloved children of God, forgiven and encouraged. Hope comes from walking together, from sharing burdens with their peers, and from trusting in Jesus’ love, shown most powerfully on the cross. This is the source of their strength to keep going.
Interviewer: You mention the tension between acceptance and rejection that disciples face, even today. How can young people remain steadfast when their witness is met with opposition, or even persecution?
Pope Leo XIV: It’s not easy. The Gospels show us that Jesus Himself was rejected, yet He loved even His enemies. Today, many Christians and people of good will face persecution, lies, or violence. Young people may feel tempted to respond with aggression, but I remind them of St. Paul’s wisdom: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Their witness must be rooted in love, in the compassion and tenderness of Christ. This is the highest commandment, and it transforms even the most painful moments into opportunities for grace.
Interviewer: Looking ahead to World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027, what is your vision for this global gathering, and how can young people prepare?
Pope Leo XIV: Seoul will be a powerful moment for young people to come together, to share their faith, and to renew their commitment to Christ’s mission. My hope is that the November 23 celebration this year, and every step toward 2027, becomes a chance to grow in friendship with Jesus and with one another. They can prepare by praying, by serving their communities, and by rejecting the temptation to stay closed in themselves. Let them organize to heal divisions, to lift up the marginalized, and to bring Christ’s warmth to a world in need.
Interviewer: Holy Father, as we close, what final words do you have for the youth reading this?
Pope Leo XIV: Dear young people, fix your eyes on Jesus—His love on the cross, His gift of Mary as your mother. You are never alone. You are loved, forgiven, and called to be witnesses of joy. Go out, share this love, and build a world of unity and peace. The Church and the world need your fremito, your courage, your heart. Be bold, and know that I am with you in prayer.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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