Pope Leo XIV has challenged young people to be courageous witnesses of Christ in his message for the 40th World Youth Day (WYD), which will be celebrated locally on November 23.
The message, which was released on October 7, focuses on the theme: “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (John 15:27).
International WYD is celebrated annually on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. It holds special local significance in 2025 as it falls one week prior to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF), where thousands of young people from around the country will come together in Melbourne.
The Pope’s message highlights two key aspects of witness, “our friendship with Jesus, which we receive from God as a gift, and our commitment to be builders of peace in society”.
Friendship with Jesus, Pope Leo says, is the pre-requisite for being sent forth to proclaim the Gospel, as the disciples were.
“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,” Pope Leo writes.
“Through his friendship, he listens to you, motivates you, and guides you, calling each of you to a new life.”
Our friendship with Jesus is unique, faithful, and eternal, leading to a renewal of our lives, the Holy Father continues, referring to the deep bond that Jesus had to the disciple John.
“Christian witness is the fruit of a relationship of faith and love with Jesus, in whom we find the salvation of our lives,” he says.
“You are invited by Christ to follow him and sit beside him, to listen to his heart and share closely in his life! Each one of you is a ‘beloved disciple’ for [Jesus], and from this love comes the joy of witness.”
The example of John the Baptist, “another courageous witness to the Gospel”, reminds us that true witnesses “are humble and inwardly free, above all from themselves, that is, from the pretence of being the centre 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,” Pope Leo writes.
“True witness is recognising and pointing to Jesus when he appears, as he is the only one who saves us.”
Friendship with Christ also awakens in us a “witness of fraternity and peace”, helping us to recognise the needs of others and seek to meet those needs.
“Dear friends, let us listen to the voice of God within us and overcome our selfishness, becoming active artisans of peace,” Pope Leo says. “That peace, which is a gift of the risen Lord, will become visible in the world through the common witness of those who carry his Spirit in their hearts.”
The message concludes with an encouragement for young people to deepen their love for the Virgin Mary, whom Jesus entrusted to John – and indeed to all of us – as his mother.
“I invite you to welcome this holy bond with Mary, a mother full of affection and understanding, and to cultivate it in particular by praying the Rosary,” the Pope says.
“That way, in every situation of our life, we will experience that we are never alone, for as children we are always loved, forgiven and encouraged by God. Bear witness to this joyfully!”
Read the full text of Pope Leo’s Message for the XL World Youth Day on the Holy See's website.
Images: Participants at the 2019 Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Perth: Iceberg Media.
Words: Matthew Biddle