In his message for the 2026 World Youth Day, celebrated in dioceses across the world on the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Leo XIV encourages young people to allow Christ into their lives and the divisions that afflict their communities.
Open your hearts to Christ and allow His courage, peace and love to win over the darkness and suffering that exists in our world, Pope Leo XIV told young people in a message released on November 3 for the 2026 World Youth Day, celebrated on November 22.
“Bring to Christ your questions and your wounds, but also the wounds that tear apart your societies and set your countries against one another,” the Pope wrote.
“Bring to Him this creation that groans and suffers, the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, which Pope Francis taught us to hear. Share with Jesus your joys and hopes.”
“Do not settle for a life that falls short of the one to which Christ calls you,” he emphasized.
World Youth Day is celebrated annually at the diocesan level on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, which in 2026 falls on November 22. Every few years, it is celebrated internationally with a large gathering in a chosen city across the world, with the next edition scheduled from August 3 to 8, 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.
In this regard, Pope Leo’s message looked to next year’s event and reflected on its theme: “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Signed on October 22, the feast day of St. John Paul II, Pope Leo’s message quoted his predecessor by inviting young people not to be afraid and open wide the doors for Christ.
He encouraged them to not only make practical preparations to go to Seoul, but also to prepare their hearts and allow the theme of this event to accompany them in this coming year.
“Do not wait until you are perfect before opening yourselves to Him. He comes to meet you just as you are. Open your lives to Christ. Open your communities to Christ. Open the paths that lead to the hearts of the people you will meet,” the Pope insisted.