Pope, in letter, advises young people to show ‘concrete charity,’ turn to St. John Henry Newman
December 17, 2025
» Continue to this story on Vatican News (Italian)
CWN Editor's Note: Responding to a psychologist’s letter for a message that can “touch the hearts” of young people, Pope Leo XIV spoke of “the importance of Christian witness as a way to help young people encounter Christ: a simple, authentic witness, matured in prayer, in community life, and in the awareness of being ‘continuously loved by God,’” according to a summary of the letter published by Vatican News.
The Pontiff then invited the young to show “concrete charity” at Christmas: “let us invite a poor family or even just a lonely person to Christmas dinner.” He also advised young people to turn to the example of St. John Henry Newman, who can help combat “the darkness of nihilism” and build a true “civilization of peace.”
The exchange was published in the December issue of Piazza San Pietro, a magazine published under the Vatican basilica’s auspices. Pope Leo has continued his predecessor’s custom of answering one letter in each issue.
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
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