Catholic World News

Be Christ’s witnesses, Pope urges in World Youth Day message

October 07, 2025

» Continue to this story on Vatican Press Office

CWN Editor's Note: In a message for the 40th World Youth Day, which will be observed in local dioceses on November 23, Pope Leo XIV told young people that there are “two two aspects of witness: our friendship with Jesus, which we receive from God as a gift, and our commitment to be builders of peace in society.”

Witness, the Pope said, “is not to be confused with ideological propaganda.” Rather “it is an authentic principle of interior transformation and social awareness.” True witnesses as always missionaries, he continued, and “with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can become missionaries of Christ in the world.”

Pope Leo went on to say that in those who pursue friendship with Christ, “there arises a way of life that bears the character of fraternity,” and draws closer to others. “The witness of fraternity and peace that friendship with Christ awakens in us casts off indifference and spiritual laziness, helping us to overcome closed-mindedness and suspicion.”

The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.

 


For all current news, visit our News home page.


Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

There are no comments yet for this item.