Pope Leo XIV called on youth to embrace their faith and become “beacons of hope” in a world grappling with isolation and division.
Newsroom, June 15, 2025, Gaudium Press – In a video message addressed to youth gathered at White Sox Park in Chicago and viewers worldwide, Pope Leo XIV called on youth to embrace their faith and become “beacons of hope” in a world grappling with isolation and division. Delivered on the eve of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the message coincided with a vibrant celebration of faith in the Archdiocese of Chicago, led by Cardinal Blase Cupich.
Reflecting on the Trinity as a model of divine love, Pope Leo XIV described God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as a community united in love, inviting humanity into that communion. “The Trinity is a model of God’s love for us,” he said, emphasizing the importance of building community in families, parishes, and society. He extended a special greeting to young people, acknowledging the challenges of post-pandemic isolation, family struggles, and a world that sometimes stifles faith.
The Pope urged youth to look within their hearts to recognize God’s presence, whether through Scripture, a friend, or a grandparent’s faith. “God is reaching out to you, calling you to know his Son Jesus Christ,” he said, encouraging them to find meaning through service to others. Drawing on Saint Augustine’s wisdom, he noted that true change begins within: “If we want the world to be a better place, we have to begin with our own hearts” (cf. Speech 311; Comment on St John’s Gospel, Homily 77).
Addressing the struggles of anxiety, loneliness, and depression, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the healing power of God’s love and community. “Coming together as friends, as brothers and sisters, in a parish, we can find that the Lord’s grace can truly heal us,” he said. He called on young people to share hope through outreach and service, promoting peace and harmony in a divided world. “And in that service to others we may find that coming together in friendship, building up community, we too can find true meaning in our lives.”
The Pope praised the youth as “the promise of hope,” urging them to move beyond self-centeredness and embrace a shared mission of faith. Quoting Saint Augustine’s famous words, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O God” (Confessions 1,1,1), he encouraged them to embrace their restlessness as a call to action, allowing God to work through their lives to reach others.
“That restlessness is not a bad thing, and we shouldn’t look for ways to put out the fire, to eliminate or even numb ourselves to the tensions that we feel, the difficulties that we experience. We should rather get in touch with our own hearts and recognise that God can work in our lives, through our lives, and through us reach out to other people.”
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Leo XIV invoked Saint Paul’s assurance that “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), calling the youth to be a “light of hope” in a world yearning for unity. He concluded with an invitation to open their hearts to God’s love, which is freely given and meant to be shared generously. “May you be blessed as you gather for this celebration,” he said, imparting a blessing of peace and hope to all.
- Raju Hamukh with files from vatican.va
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