Pope Leo XIV Tells Thousands of Youth "God lights that fire when we pray, especially when we receive and adore him in the Eucharist" and Mentions his Young Niece - FULL TEXT
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Pope Leo XIV was enthusiastically welcomed by the young people of the Diocese of Rome, upon arriving in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, who greeted him warmly and offered him a moving embrace. The meeting, held this Saturday, January 10, just days after the conclusion of the Jubilee Year, brought together thousands of young people—accompanied by priests, religious, and educators—both inside and outside the Paul VI Hall. Pope Leo said that shortly before the meeting he had received a message from his niece, asking how he manages to face so many of the world’s problems and whether he ever feels alone.
MEETING WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE DIOCESE OF ROME
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
Paul VI Hall on Saturday, January 10, 2026
___________________________________
Greeting from the Holy Father to the young people before the meeting
We'll say goodbye from here. You can follow along on the screens. I'm going from here to the Paul VI Hall. You can listen a bit... How I wish we could all be together, not just on screen but in person, because it's in meeting that we find ourselves most at peace.
And we get along well because we are all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, who is our best friend. Thank you for being here! I see you've come from other countries too: welcome .
Well, then I'll move on: thank you! Let's try together to truly live this spirit of friendship, of brotherhood, of coming together, because we know that when we are united, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome.
Being alone, so often, is painful. But when we're with friends, when we're with family, when we're with those who love us and care for us, we can move forward. Always have this courage! And may Jesus always give you faith, the ability to say: "Yes, Lord, I follow you, I walk with you." And we know that Jesus is always with us, always walks with us. God bless you!
______________________________________
The Pope's greeting to those present at the Petriano, before arriving in the Paul VI Hall
Welcome! But you Romans are truly brave, and so many of you came! Thank you, thank you all. I'll say goodbye now, then you can follow along on screen, and we hope to see each other again, but it's always better to see each other in person, not just on screens. Isn't that right?
It's very important that we try to build human relationships, good friendships, and above all, friendship with Jesus. Best wishes to everyone. See you later.
______________________________________
Speech of the Holy Father
Dear young people, welcome!
I also greet everyone outside, out in the cold, following our meeting with the schemas in the Piazza and outside the Holy Office. Truly, welcome, everyone! I'm very happy to be with you, to have this opportunity to share a little of this research, this desire to answer not only the questions we just heard, but so many things in life. I'd like to share that shortly before coming this evening, I received a message from a niece of mine, also young, who said: "Uncle, how do you cope with so many problems in the world, with so many worries?" and asked the same question: "Don't you feel alone? How do you manage everything?" And the answer, largely, is you! Because we are not alone!
Later, I'll tell you a little about what it means to come together and experience this spirit, this enthusiasm, and above all, this faith, even in difficult moments, when we feel alone, when we don't know what to do. If we remember the beauty of faith, the beauty of joy, of being young, of coming together, of seeking together, we can truly know in our hearts that we are never alone, because Jesus is with us! And I'd also like to say a word—Cardinal Baldo has already told us—this sadness and pain we've all experienced for those 40 young people from Crans-Montana who lost their lives is truly great. We too must remember that life is so precious, that we can never forget those who suffer. Unfortunately, those families, still grieving, must now seek ways to overcome that pain. This is also why our prayer, our unity, is important: let us always remain united, as friends, as brothers!
And a big hello to all the priests and nuns who are with us this afternoon. Thank you! Thank you so much!
As we recalled in the video, at the beginning of the Holy Year, we experienced a powerful moment here in Rome, with thousands and thousands of your peers from all over the world . People of every language and culture joined together in the same prayer, raising joyful praise to God and heartfelt prayer for peace among peoples. Now, in this "your" encounter with the Pope, you young Romans renew the spirit of those memorable days, committing yourselves to being not only pilgrims of hope, but its witnesses. And how can we truly be that?
To offer a response, I'll respond to Matteo's words, which highlighted the loneliness of many young people, along with the feelings of disappointment, confusion, and boredom that accompany it. When this dullness clouds the colors of life, we see that isolation can occur even in the midst of so many people. Indeed, this is precisely how loneliness shows its worst side: we aren't listened to, immersed in the din of opinions; we don't see anything, dazzled by fragmented images. A life of links without connection or likes without affection disappoints us, because we are made for truth: when it's missing, we suffer. We are made for good, but the disposable masks of pleasure betray our desire.
Yet in these moments of despair, we can sharpen our sensitivity. If we listen attentively and open our eyes, creation reminds us that we are not alone: the world is made up of connections between all things, between the elements and living beings. Yet, no matter how much we breathe the air available to us, we remain breathless; no matter how much we eat, even good food, it doesn't satisfy us, and water doesn't quench our thirst. Nature's resources aren't enough for us, because we are more than just what we eat, drink, and breathe. We are unique creatures, because we carry within us the image of God, which is a relationship of life, love, and salvation.
So, when you feel alone, remember that God never abandons you. His company becomes the strength to take the first step toward those who are alone, yet are right beside you. Everyone remains alone if they look only at themselves. Instead, drawing close to others makes you become an image of what God is for you. Just as He brings hope into your life, so you can share it with others. You will then find yourselves together, seeking communion and fraternity. And here I would also like to emphasize how beautiful was the welcome that you, as the Church of Rome, offered to so many young people who came from all over the world during the Jubilee. It was truly wonderful!
But loneliness often exists and many suffer. Then, observing loneliness, Salvatore Quasimodo wrote these famous verses: "Everyone stands alone on the heart of the earth / pierced by a ray of sun: / and suddenly it is evening." [1] What would seem to be an inescapable fate actually calls us to awaken: the one earth supports all human beings and the same sun illuminates everything. The ray that pierces us, that is, enters the crevices of the soul, is not an intermittent light, which rises and then sets, but the Sun of justice, the sun that is Christ! He warms our hearts and inflames them with his love.
It is from this encounter with Jesus that comes the strength to change our lives and transform society. As Francesca and Michela noted, the light of the Gospel truly illuminates our relationships: through everyday words and gestures, it expands, drawing each person into its warmth. Then a gray and anonymous world becomes a welcoming place, on a human scale, precisely because it is inhabited by God. I am happy that you experience authentic relationships in your environments: what you experience in Roman parishes, in the oratory, and in associations, you cannot keep to yourselves! Don't expect the world to welcome you with open arms: advertising, which is meant to sell something to consume, has a greater audience than witness, which seeks to build sincere friendships. Therefore, act with joy and tenacity, knowing that to change society, we must first change ourselves. And you have already shown me that you are capable of changing yourselves and building these friendships. This is how we can change the world, this is how we can build a world of peace!
You asked me what I wish for you: in my prayers, I ask for each of you a good and true life, according to God's will. In short, I hope for a holy life for all. Here I tell you something: you know that the word "holy" has the same root as the word "healthy," and that if we truly want to be saints, we must begin with a healthy life and help one another to seek ways to avoid things like, unfortunately, addictions: so many situations young people face. We are witnesses, true friends are those who accompany, those who can truly offer a healthy life, because we are all saints. And this also depends on you. Do not be afraid to accept this responsibility. I desire nothing less, because I love you: indeed, those who live with God, the author and savior of life, truly live. This is how we can all be saints in this life! The Lord makes life good not by teaching abstract ideals, but by giving his life for us (cf. Jn 10:10). Faced with the challenges of his time, another poet fascinated by this gift, Clemente Rebora, exclaimed: "Here is the certain hope: the Cross. / I have found He who first loved me / And loves me and cleanses me, in the Blood that is fire, / Jesus, the All-Good, the infinite Love, / The Love that gives Love, / The Love that lives deep within the heart." [2] The ray of light that pierces us can be seen and felt! It is a true love, because it is faithful and without self-interest. It is a love that knows our heart and frees it from fear. And peace is the fruit that God's love cultivates in us: by savoring it, we can share it through dedication to those who feel unloved, to those little ones who need our attention most, to those who await from us a gesture of forgiveness. Dear young people, may your commitment in society and in politics, in the family, in school and in the Church come from the heart, and it will be fruitful. May it come from God, and it will be holy.
And I would like to invite you to remember what I said to you at the great Vigil of your Jubilee : "Friendship with Christ, which is the foundation of faith, is not just one help among many others for building the future: it is our guiding star. […] When our friendships reflect this intense bond with Jesus, they certainly become sincere, generous, and true." Then, yes, "friendship can truly change the world," becoming "a path to peace" ( Vigil , Tor Vergata, 2 August 2025). And this desire of mine corresponds to the words of Francis, who juxtaposed two apparently contrary expressions to describe the disappointment and sense of slavery you sometimes feel. He said: "we are lost" and "we are full." This captures well the situation of those who have much, but not the essential: yes, a heart filled with distractions cannot find the path, but those who desire it already begin to free themselves from what blocks them. Dissatisfaction is an echo of the truth: it shouldn't frighten you, because it clearly shows the emptiness that clutters life, reducing it to a tool used for something else.
What can you "do concretely to break these chains"? First of all, pray. This is the most concrete act a Christian does for the good of those around him, of himself, and of the entire world. Prayer is an act of freedom, which breaks the chains of boredom, pride, and indifference. To set the world ablaze requires a burning heart! And God lights that fire when we pray, especially when we receive and adore him in the Eucharist, when we encounter him in the Gospel, when we sing to him in the Psalms. In this way, He enables us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Take the example of the song of the greatest poet, Mary, Mary Most Holy. She sang: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" ( Luke 1:46-47). It takes courage to witness this joy today! It takes ardour to love as the Lord has loved us, yet this is precisely what makes us "stop procrastinating and truly live," as you said. It's not about making superhuman efforts, nor even occasionally performing some charitable work: it's about living as men and women who have Christ in their hearts, who listen to him as Teacher and follow him as Shepherd.
Let us look to the saints: how free they are! Together with them, let us move forward on the journey, knowing full well that the true good in life cannot be bought with money or conquered with weapons, but can be given, simply, because God gives it to everyone with love.
Thank you all for coming! And thank you—thank you so much!—for loving this Church of Rome with me! The Church of Rome is alive! And now I bless all of you, your loved ones, and your friends. Thank you!
Goodbye and have a good trip!
_______________________________________________
[1] See S. Quasimodo, And Suddenly It Comes Evening , Milan 2016.
[2] See C. Rebora, Le poesie , Milan 1994.
Greeting from the Holy Father to the young people before the meeting
We'll say goodbye from here. You can follow along on the screens. I'm going from here to the Paul VI Hall. You can listen a bit... How I wish we could all be together, not just on screen but in person, because it's in meeting that we find ourselves most at peace.
And we get along well because we are all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, who is our best friend. Thank you for being here! I see you've come from other countries too: welcome .
Well, then I'll move on: thank you! Let's try together to truly live this spirit of friendship, of brotherhood, of coming together, because we know that when we are united, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome.
Being alone, so often, is painful. But when we're with friends, when we're with family, when we're with those who love us and care for us, we can move forward. Always have this courage! And may Jesus always give you faith, the ability to say: "Yes, Lord, I follow you, I walk with you." And we know that Jesus is always with us, always walks with us. God bless you!
______________________________________
The Pope's greeting to those present at the Petriano, before arriving in the Paul VI Hall
Welcome! But you Romans are truly brave, and so many of you came! Thank you, thank you all. I'll say goodbye now, then you can follow along on screen, and we hope to see each other again, but it's always better to see each other in person, not just on screens. Isn't that right?
It's very important that we try to build human relationships, good friendships, and above all, friendship with Jesus. Best wishes to everyone. See you later.
______________________________________
Speech of the Holy Father
Dear young people, welcome!
I also greet everyone outside, out in the cold, following our meeting with the schemas in the Piazza and outside the Holy Office. Truly, welcome, everyone! I'm very happy to be with you, to have this opportunity to share a little of this research, this desire to answer not only the questions we just heard, but so many things in life. I'd like to share that shortly before coming this evening, I received a message from a niece of mine, also young, who said: "Uncle, how do you cope with so many problems in the world, with so many worries?" and asked the same question: "Don't you feel alone? How do you manage everything?" And the answer, largely, is you! Because we are not alone!
Later, I'll tell you a little about what it means to come together and experience this spirit, this enthusiasm, and above all, this faith, even in difficult moments, when we feel alone, when we don't know what to do. If we remember the beauty of faith, the beauty of joy, of being young, of coming together, of seeking together, we can truly know in our hearts that we are never alone, because Jesus is with us! And I'd also like to say a word—Cardinal Baldo has already told us—this sadness and pain we've all experienced for those 40 young people from Crans-Montana who lost their lives is truly great. We too must remember that life is so precious, that we can never forget those who suffer. Unfortunately, those families, still grieving, must now seek ways to overcome that pain. This is also why our prayer, our unity, is important: let us always remain united, as friends, as brothers!
And a big hello to all the priests and nuns who are with us this afternoon. Thank you! Thank you so much!
As we recalled in the video, at the beginning of the Holy Year, we experienced a powerful moment here in Rome, with thousands and thousands of your peers from all over the world . People of every language and culture joined together in the same prayer, raising joyful praise to God and heartfelt prayer for peace among peoples. Now, in this "your" encounter with the Pope, you young Romans renew the spirit of those memorable days, committing yourselves to being not only pilgrims of hope, but its witnesses. And how can we truly be that?
To offer a response, I'll respond to Matteo's words, which highlighted the loneliness of many young people, along with the feelings of disappointment, confusion, and boredom that accompany it. When this dullness clouds the colors of life, we see that isolation can occur even in the midst of so many people. Indeed, this is precisely how loneliness shows its worst side: we aren't listened to, immersed in the din of opinions; we don't see anything, dazzled by fragmented images. A life of links without connection or likes without affection disappoints us, because we are made for truth: when it's missing, we suffer. We are made for good, but the disposable masks of pleasure betray our desire.
Yet in these moments of despair, we can sharpen our sensitivity. If we listen attentively and open our eyes, creation reminds us that we are not alone: the world is made up of connections between all things, between the elements and living beings. Yet, no matter how much we breathe the air available to us, we remain breathless; no matter how much we eat, even good food, it doesn't satisfy us, and water doesn't quench our thirst. Nature's resources aren't enough for us, because we are more than just what we eat, drink, and breathe. We are unique creatures, because we carry within us the image of God, which is a relationship of life, love, and salvation.
So, when you feel alone, remember that God never abandons you. His company becomes the strength to take the first step toward those who are alone, yet are right beside you. Everyone remains alone if they look only at themselves. Instead, drawing close to others makes you become an image of what God is for you. Just as He brings hope into your life, so you can share it with others. You will then find yourselves together, seeking communion and fraternity. And here I would also like to emphasize how beautiful was the welcome that you, as the Church of Rome, offered to so many young people who came from all over the world during the Jubilee. It was truly wonderful!
But loneliness often exists and many suffer. Then, observing loneliness, Salvatore Quasimodo wrote these famous verses: "Everyone stands alone on the heart of the earth / pierced by a ray of sun: / and suddenly it is evening." [1] What would seem to be an inescapable fate actually calls us to awaken: the one earth supports all human beings and the same sun illuminates everything. The ray that pierces us, that is, enters the crevices of the soul, is not an intermittent light, which rises and then sets, but the Sun of justice, the sun that is Christ! He warms our hearts and inflames them with his love.
It is from this encounter with Jesus that comes the strength to change our lives and transform society. As Francesca and Michela noted, the light of the Gospel truly illuminates our relationships: through everyday words and gestures, it expands, drawing each person into its warmth. Then a gray and anonymous world becomes a welcoming place, on a human scale, precisely because it is inhabited by God. I am happy that you experience authentic relationships in your environments: what you experience in Roman parishes, in the oratory, and in associations, you cannot keep to yourselves! Don't expect the world to welcome you with open arms: advertising, which is meant to sell something to consume, has a greater audience than witness, which seeks to build sincere friendships. Therefore, act with joy and tenacity, knowing that to change society, we must first change ourselves. And you have already shown me that you are capable of changing yourselves and building these friendships. This is how we can change the world, this is how we can build a world of peace!
You asked me what I wish for you: in my prayers, I ask for each of you a good and true life, according to God's will. In short, I hope for a holy life for all. Here I tell you something: you know that the word "holy" has the same root as the word "healthy," and that if we truly want to be saints, we must begin with a healthy life and help one another to seek ways to avoid things like, unfortunately, addictions: so many situations young people face. We are witnesses, true friends are those who accompany, those who can truly offer a healthy life, because we are all saints. And this also depends on you. Do not be afraid to accept this responsibility. I desire nothing less, because I love you: indeed, those who live with God, the author and savior of life, truly live. This is how we can all be saints in this life! The Lord makes life good not by teaching abstract ideals, but by giving his life for us (cf. Jn 10:10). Faced with the challenges of his time, another poet fascinated by this gift, Clemente Rebora, exclaimed: "Here is the certain hope: the Cross. / I have found He who first loved me / And loves me and cleanses me, in the Blood that is fire, / Jesus, the All-Good, the infinite Love, / The Love that gives Love, / The Love that lives deep within the heart." [2] The ray of light that pierces us can be seen and felt! It is a true love, because it is faithful and without self-interest. It is a love that knows our heart and frees it from fear. And peace is the fruit that God's love cultivates in us: by savoring it, we can share it through dedication to those who feel unloved, to those little ones who need our attention most, to those who await from us a gesture of forgiveness. Dear young people, may your commitment in society and in politics, in the family, in school and in the Church come from the heart, and it will be fruitful. May it come from God, and it will be holy.
And I would like to invite you to remember what I said to you at the great Vigil of your Jubilee : "Friendship with Christ, which is the foundation of faith, is not just one help among many others for building the future: it is our guiding star. […] When our friendships reflect this intense bond with Jesus, they certainly become sincere, generous, and true." Then, yes, "friendship can truly change the world," becoming "a path to peace" ( Vigil , Tor Vergata, 2 August 2025). And this desire of mine corresponds to the words of Francis, who juxtaposed two apparently contrary expressions to describe the disappointment and sense of slavery you sometimes feel. He said: "we are lost" and "we are full." This captures well the situation of those who have much, but not the essential: yes, a heart filled with distractions cannot find the path, but those who desire it already begin to free themselves from what blocks them. Dissatisfaction is an echo of the truth: it shouldn't frighten you, because it clearly shows the emptiness that clutters life, reducing it to a tool used for something else.
What can you "do concretely to break these chains"? First of all, pray. This is the most concrete act a Christian does for the good of those around him, of himself, and of the entire world. Prayer is an act of freedom, which breaks the chains of boredom, pride, and indifference. To set the world ablaze requires a burning heart! And God lights that fire when we pray, especially when we receive and adore him in the Eucharist, when we encounter him in the Gospel, when we sing to him in the Psalms. In this way, He enables us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Take the example of the song of the greatest poet, Mary, Mary Most Holy. She sang: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" ( Luke 1:46-47). It takes courage to witness this joy today! It takes ardour to love as the Lord has loved us, yet this is precisely what makes us "stop procrastinating and truly live," as you said. It's not about making superhuman efforts, nor even occasionally performing some charitable work: it's about living as men and women who have Christ in their hearts, who listen to him as Teacher and follow him as Shepherd.
Let us look to the saints: how free they are! Together with them, let us move forward on the journey, knowing full well that the true good in life cannot be bought with money or conquered with weapons, but can be given, simply, because God gives it to everyone with love.
Thank you all for coming! And thank you—thank you so much!—for loving this Church of Rome with me! The Church of Rome is alive! And now I bless all of you, your loved ones, and your friends. Thank you!
Goodbye and have a good trip!
_______________________________________________
[1] See S. Quasimodo, And Suddenly It Comes Evening , Milan 2016.
[2] See C. Rebora, Le poesie , Milan 1994.
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