Pope Leo XIV Tells Thousands of Youth at Medjugorje Festival to become "shining witnesses of the Gospel, promoters of fraternity, and builders of peace in society."

The 37th Medjugorje Youth Festival (Mladifest 2026), took place on August 1–6, and saw tens of thousands of young pilgrims from around the world in Medjugorje for prayer, worship, catechesis, Eucharistic liturgies, song, and spiritual renewal. The 2026 theme, "Ad fontem! – To the Source," invited participants to rediscover Christ as the true source of hope, peace, and lasting joy. (Testimonies starts at 1:00 Minute mark on the video below)

The festival continued with large jubilant participation despite the recent vandalism at Medjugorje pilgrimage sites shortly before. Pilgrims have were focused on prayer and joy of faith, showing that acts of hatred cannot take away their devotion or the spirit of God's love.

 Pope Leo XIV, in a message sent there called, on young people attending the Mladifest Youth Festival at the Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia and Herzegovina to look past the illusions of "fleeting happiness" and rediscover the true beauty of faith.

In a opening message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and read by Apostolic Visitor Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, the Pope acknowledged that while quick promises of joy are alluring, they quickly fade. The deeper longings and anxieties left behind can instead become "an opportunity for discernment and growth in faith" through a personal encounter with God, "who quenches every heart and gives the strength to always begin anew."

Source - https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-08/pope-encourages-youth-medjugorje-rediscover-beauty-in-lord.html

The annual festival, running since 1989, gathered thousands of youth from 73 countries, opening with a Eucharistic celebration led by Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt.

Encouraging attendees to return to Christ as the source of authentic life, Pope Leo XIV invited the youth to seek "the truth that sets them free" without falling for "the illusions of a passing happiness." He concluded by calling on them to let themselves be "led by the Holy Spirit" and guided by Mary to become "shining witnesses of the Gospel, promoters of fraternity, and builders of peace in society."