In a heartfelt message to young Catholics in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the vital role they play in being ‘beacons of hope’ in a world filled with challenges.
During a video message on June 14th, the pope conveyed that the youth are ‘the promise of hope for so many of us.’
He urged them to unite in their faith and outreach to foster peace in society and provide a message of hope.
‘As you look around yourselves, the world looks to you and says, we need you,’ Leo said.
He encouraged the young attendees to ‘come together to share this common mission, as a church’ and to promote harmony among all peoples.
The pope called on the youth to look beyond their own interests and to take part in building a community where love and support thrive.
His remarks were shared during the ‘Chicago Celebrates Pope Leo XIV’ event held at Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox, organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Chicago’s archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich hosted the event, which began at 12:30 p.m. local time and was highlighted by a Mass led by Cupich.
Notably, the celebration coincided with the Catholic feast of the Most Holy Trinity, which Pope Leo referenced as a model for love and community.
‘God, Father, Son, and Spirit, three persons in one God live united in the depth of love in community,’ he remarked, expressing gratitude to Chicago’s Catholics for their continued support.
Leo also acknowledged the challenges the youth have faced in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought isolation and familial tensions.
He encouraged young individuals to look within themselves and recognize God’s presence.
The pope suggested that they might find God calling them through various experiences—whether it be through scripture, or through the influence of a friend or a relative who embodies a life of faith.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of recognizing a ‘longing for love’ in their lives and urged the youth to find ways to serve others.
By doing so, they can create a supportive community where those experiencing anxiety, loneliness, or sadness can discover the healing love of God.
Pope Leo poignantly stated, ‘Actually, coming together as friends, as brothers and sisters, in community, in a parish, we can find that the Lord’s grace.’
He urged participants to share messages of hope through their outreach and service, transforming their lives into a source of inspiration for the world.
In reinforcing the idea of youth as signifiers of hope, the pope reminded attendees that being witnesses of hope begins with individual hearts and lives.
As faith communities gather and celebrate their spirituality, Leo assured them that they can indeed shine brightly as beacons of hope.
He remarked that though that light may initially seem small, unity within the community would amplify it.
The pope emphasized that faith in Jesus Christ is the source of that light, encouraging devotion and fellowship to promote peace and unity globally.
While it is normal to grapple with questions, he cited Saint Augustine: ‘Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, oh God.’
Instead of suppressing this restlessness, he urged youth to engage with it and allow God to work within them, guiding them to reach out to others.
Closing his approximately seven-minute message, Pope Leo XIV invited young people to serve as the ‘light of hope’ for others.
He shared a personal reflection: ‘When I see each and every one of you… I discover how much hope there is in the world.’
The ongoing Jubilee Hope serves as a reminder that hope is firmly rooted in Christ, who calls upon all individuals to unite and exemplify hope in today’s world.
Pope Leo urged Chicago’s Catholics to pause and open their hearts to God’s love, thereby embracing the peace that only the Lord can provide.
He underscored the beauty, strength, and significance of God’s love in their lives.
‘God’s love is a gift that He gives us, asking only for believers to be generous and share what He has provided,’ he stated.
In conclusion, the pope offered blessings upon the gathering, expressing wishes for God’s love and peace to envelop everyone present and their families.
May they forever embody ‘beacons of hope’ and inspire peace in a world that desperately needs it.
image source from：https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/06/pope-leo-urges-chicago-youth-to-be-messengers-of-hope-peace
