Pope Francis: 'Let your youth be a gift for Jesus'

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"Let Christ transform your natural optimism into authentic love; a love that knows how to sacrifice, that is sincere, real and genuine, so that your youth will be a gift for Jesus and for the world and you will be able to spend your life in a worthy and fruitful way."

This was the encouragement Pope Francis sent to the XXI Latam Meeting of Caribbean and Latin American national youth ministry leaders, gathered in Asunción, Paraguay, July 15-20.

Expressing his joy to greet the participants, the Pope emphasized the value of youth ministry for the Church, as he called on young people to let Christ use their energy to do great things.

"The command of Jesus to 'arise',” he acknowledged, "means both a task and a responsibility."

Do not be afraid of the Lord

"Do not be afraid of the Lord who passes by us and whispers in our ear, bends down to us and offers us his hand to lift us up every time we fall," he said, noting Jesus wants us "on our feet," "resurrected," and therefore, we shouldn't "be afraid to let Him into your life."

"Open wide the doors of your heart to Him," he continued, saying to do so "for the new life that comes from Him," one that is "without comparison" and "deserves to be lived."

Mary accompanies with a mother's love

The Holy Father went on to entrust those gathered to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

"May she accompany your steps and intercede for you with a mother's love," he said, "so that, together with children, adults and the elderly, in intergenerational communion, you may be protagonists in a Church that is ever more synodal, disciple and missionary."

In a particular way, he said, "I thank the young Paraguayans who have worked with dedication to make this meeting possible." 

As the Holy Father encouraged them to live these days together in grateful faith, Pope Francis likewise invited them to continue to prepare themselves during this Year of Prayer to celebrate the next Jubilee 2025 with joyful hope.