“In the other person there is a brother, a sister!”, writes Pope Leo XIV addressing young people worldwide in his message for the 40th World Youth Day, to be celebrated at the diocesan level on November 23 this year with the theme: “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (Jn 15:27). “The witness of fraternity and peace that friendship with Christ awakens in us casts off indifference and spiritual laziness, helping us to overcome closed-mindedness and suspicion”, assures the Pope: “It also builds bonds between us, urging us to work together, from volunteerism to political charity, to build new living conditions for all.” “Do not follow those who use the words of faith to divide”, is the Pope’s message to the young generations: “Instead, make plans to remove inequalities and reconcile divided and oppressed communities.”.
“Let us listen to the voice of God within us and overcome our selfishness, becoming active artisans of peace”, the Pope’s counsel, calling on young people to “become missionaries of Christ in the world.”
“Many of your peers are exposed to violence, forced to use weapons, separated from their loved ones, and compelled to migrate or flee”, denounces Leo XIV: “Many lack education and other essential goods. All share with you the search for meaning and the insecurity that accompanies it, the discomfort of growing social and work pressures, the difficulty of dealing with family crises, the painful feeling of a lack of opportunities, as well as the remorse for mistakes they have made.” “You can stand alongside other young people, walk with them and show that God, in Jesus, has drawn close to each person”, the Pope’s encouragement to the young generations, in a world where
“to this day, Christians and people of good will suffer persecution, deceit and violence.”
“Perhaps this painful experience has marked you as well, and you may have been tempted to react instinctively by putting yourselves on the same level as those who have rejected you, adopting aggressive attitudes”, the Pope remarks to the youth, whom he invites to recall “the wise advice of Saint Paul: ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’”. “So do not be discouraged”, writes the Pope: like the saints, you too are called to persevere with hope, especially in the face of difficulties and obstacles.”
Christian witness, the Pope writes in the opening lines of the Message, “arises from friendship with the Lord, who was crucified and rose for the salvation of all.”
“This witness is not to be confused with ideological propaganda,
for it is an authentic principle of interior transformation and social awareness.” Jesus “considers us as his friends”, writes Leo XIV: “He alone fully knows who we are and why we are here; young people, he knows your heart, your indignation in the face of discrimination and injustice, your desire for truth and beauty, for joy and peace. Through his friendship, he listens to you, motivates you, and guides you, calling each of you to a new life. The gaze of Jesus, who always wants nothing but our good, precedes us.”
“He does not want us to be servants, nor activists of a political party”,
points out the Pontiff.
“Our deepest questions are not heard or answered by endlessly scrolling on our cell phones,
which captures our attention but leaves us with tired minds and empty hearts”, the Pope writes addressing young people’s everyday life: “This search will not take us far if we keep it closed within ourselves or in narrow confinements. The fulfillment of our authentic desires always comes through going beyond ourselves.” The Pope continues with a quote from Pope Francis:
“If we do not go beyond ourselves and our comfort zones, if we do not go to the poor and those who feel excluded from the Kingdom of God, we cannot encounter Christ and bear witness to him.
“We lose the sweet joy of being evangelized and of evangelizing.” From John the Baptist, we learn that Christian witness is neither a proclamation of ourselves nor a celebration of our spiritual, intellectual or moral abilities.”: “True witness is recognizing and pointing to Jesus when he appears, as he is the only one who saves us. John recognized him among sinners, immersed in common humanity.” For Pope Leo, the example of John the Baptist, the Precursor of Jesus, “reminds us that
true witnesses do not seek to occupy the center stage,
nor to bind their followers to themselves. True witnesses are humble and inwardly free, above all from themselves, that is, from the pretense of being the center of attention. Therefore, they are free to listen, to understand, and also to speak the truth to everyone, even in the presence of those who are powerful.” “I invite each of you to continue to individuate Jesus’ friends and witnesses in the Bible”, the Pope’s counsel: “As you read the Gospel, you will find that they all discovered the true meaning of life through their living relationship with Christ.”
