Pope Leo XIV Urges Young Brazilians to Spread Faith, Build a Better World Through Love and Hope

Vatican City, July 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on young people in Brazil to allow God’s love to inspire them to become agents of evangelisation and help build a more peaceful and compassionate world. In a video message released on Sunday, the Pontiff encouraged youth to embrace their faith with courage and become “living stones” in the creation of a society founded on Christian values.

The message was delivered on the occasion of the Halleluya Festival, an annual Catholic music and youth gathering organised by the Shalom Catholic Community in Fortaleza, Brazil, from July 22 to 26. Addressing thousands of participants, Pope Leo said young people possess an energy and enthusiasm capable of transforming both the Church and society.

“Allow the Holy Spirit to rekindle within you a greater love that can transform your youth into a force for evangelisation,” the Pope said. He urged the faithful to become active builders of the “City of God” amid the challenges of the modern world, echoing the vision of Saint Augustine.

Highlighting the importance of youth in the Church’s mission, Pope Leo said their enthusiasm inspires others and strengthens the Church’s missionary spirit. He noted that many people across the world are still searching for meaning and have yet to discover Christ, whom he described as the answer to humanity’s deepest hopes and aspirations.

The Pontiff encouraged young Christians to confidently share their faith, stressing that life without Christ lacks true grace and purpose. “Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He alone gives meaning to our existence and to everything around us,” he said, adding that faith becomes stronger when it is shared with others, especially those who are searching for hope.

Recognising that the excitement experienced during youth gatherings can fade over time, Pope Leo urged participants to remain steadfast in prayer and cultivate a lasting relationship with God. He emphasised that spiritual growth requires perseverance, discipline and trust in God’s constant presence.

“Do not be afraid of Christ,” he said. “He takes nothing away and gives everything.” The Pope added that those who place their trust in God receive far more in return than they could ever imagine. Drawing an analogy with sports, he remarked that while athletes experience both victory and defeat, “with Christ, we always triumph.”

The Pope also addressed the growing influence of technology and social media in the lives of young people. Referring to Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian who became widely known for using the internet to spread the Gospel, Pope Leo encouraged young Catholics to follow his example by using digital platforms responsibly.

He advised young people to approach social media and artificial intelligence with moderation and discipline, warning that excessive dependence on technology can create an artificial world where appearances, temporary trends and deception overshadow genuine human values and authentic relationships.

Instead, he urged them to use digital tools to spread hope, truth and kindness while remaining firmly rooted in real-life relationships, prayer and service to others.

Concluding his message, Pope Leo XIV reminded the youth that they have an important role in shaping the future of both the Church and society. He encouraged them to remain faithful to Christ, live their beliefs with conviction and become instruments of peace, compassion and hope in an increasingly complex world.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)