Pope Leo XIV called on young Peruvian pilgrims to bring the “Good News of Jesus Christ” back to their homeland
Newsroom (28/07/2025, Gaudium Press )Pope Leo XIV called on young Peruvian pilgrims to bring the “Good News of Jesus Christ” back to their homeland, urging them not to let their experience at the Jubilee of Young People remain merely a memory captured in photos, but to reflect the face of Christ in everyone they meet. The Holy Father delivered this message on Monday during a heartfelt audience with the group at the Vatican.
Welcoming the youth as “pilgrims of hope,” Pope Leo XIV expressed joy at their presence in Rome for the Holy Year event, where they joined thousands of young people from around the world. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by their families and parish communities, noting that their support enabled this significant journey. “Seeing you here,” he said, “makes me think of the many who, with great effort, helped make this moment possible.”
A Call to Be Part of the Church’s Family
Reflecting on the day’s readings, the Pope emphasized the strength found in community, likening the faithful to “clusters on the vine” within the great family of the Church. “We may be small, but we are not alone,” he reassured, highlighting how incorporation into Christ through the Church enables growth and fruitfulness through God’s grace.
Drawing inspiration from Saint Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 68, Pope Leo XIV underscored the power of the “small” when rooted in the people of God, a community that spans the globe. This connection, he said, empowers young people to live out their faith dynamically.
A Mission to Share Christ’s Love
The Holy Father urged the pilgrims to carry the joy of the Jubilee beyond Rome, transforming their experiences into a living witness of faith. “Please, do not let all this remain merely as a memory in some beautiful photos,” he said, encouraging them to embody Christ’s love in their daily lives upon returning to Peru.
“May everyone you meet see in you the face of Christ, who loves and gives himself,” he added, emphasizing that Christ’s presence shines through each baptized person.
Inspired by Peru’s Saints
Pope Leo XIV called on the youth to draw inspiration from Peru’s beloved saints, urging them to “love and serve freely” in the small, hidden moments of life. He reminded them that their faith is a gift freely received from God, which they are called to share generously.
Pointing to the simplicity of their pilgrimage backpacks, which carry only essentials, the Pope entrusted them with a mission: to be transparent bearers of Christ’s presence wherever they go. “Be missionaries,” he said, “just as our beloved Peruvian saints were.”
With this charge, Pope Leo XIV sent the young pilgrims forth to flood Peru with the joy and strength of the Gospel, embodying the hope and mission of the Jubilee of Young People.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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