The Palestinian Youth group, on a two-week jubilee pilgrimage, arrived in Rome to share their testimony of peace despite the ongoing challenges in the Middle East.
Newsroom (01/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) A Palestinian youth group of 50 young people from the “Youth of Jesus’ Homeland” (YJHP), accompanied by their spiritual guide, Father Louis Salman, a priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, participated in Pope Leo XIV’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square today. The group, on a two-week jubilee pilgrimage to Italy, arrived in Rome to share their testimony of peace despite the ongoing challenges in the Middle East.
The YJHP, unable to attend the earlier Jubilee of Youth due to regional difficulties, has now made the journey with the support of old and new friends who welcomed them to ensure a moment of spiritual serenity. The group will visit other Italian sites during their pilgrimage, bringing their message of hope rooted in the Gospel.
Gospel as an Antidote to Hatred
Drawing inspiration from their motto, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), the YJHP emphasized their commitment to fostering peace in a region marked by instability. One member of the group stated, “Jesus is life and invites us to live it fully, sustained by our faith, Christian values, and the Word of God.” The group believes that their Catholic youth movement can transform the Palestinian community from within, countering the hatred that has long plagued the Holy Land.
Pope Leo XIV Appeals for Peace in Madagascar
At the conclusion of the general audience, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the violent unrest in Madagascar, where protests led by the country’s Gen Z have escalated in recent days. The demonstrations, driven by economic and social grievances, have resulted in clashes with security forces, leaving at least 22 people dead and over 100 injured, according to United Nations reports.
The Pope called for an end to all forms of violence, urging, “Let us pray to the Lord that every form of violence be avoided and that the constant pursuit of social harmony be fostered through the promotion of justice and the common good.”
Madagascar Protests Escalate
The protests in Madagascar, among the largest in the nation’s history, were sparked by widespread frustration over failing infrastructure, frequent blackouts, water and electricity shortages, and allegations of high-level corruption. Inspired by similar Gen Z-led movements in Kenya and Nepal, Malagasy youth have mobilized through social media, culminating in demonstrations that prompted President Andry Rajoelina to dissolve the government on September 29.
Clashes have spread beyond the capital, Antananarivo, to cities like Diego Suarez in the north. The violence has claimed the lives of protesters and bystanders, with security forces deploying tear gas and criminal groups exploiting the chaos. Madagascar’s Foreign Ministry has disputed the UN’s casualty figures, labeling them as based on “rumors or misinformation.” Meanwhile, a nationwide strike has been called for today, with protesters gathering in Ambohijatovo, a symbolic political hub in the capital.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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