Pope challenges young French Catholics to be ‘radiant witnesses’ to the Gospel

September 26, 2026

Pope Leo XIV traveled from Paris to the suburb of Saint-Denis late last evening to lead a prayer vigil for 80,000 young people in the Stade de France, the national athletic stadium (video 1, video 2).

During the prayer vigil, the Pontiff and the young Catholics heard a Scripture reading, venerated Christ’s Holy Tunic and relics of the saints, and sang the Litany of the Saints and Salve Regina.

Addressing a question from a young adult, Pope Leo said that “humanity goes astray when it claims that God is dead. Without God, we have no salvation and we lose the meaning of our existence, which is reduced to a dead end or to nothingness.”

“Conversely, those who say, ‘For me, to live is Christ!’ experience the exact opposite,” the Pope continued. “Indeed, in Christ we know that God is never indifferent to humanity! Through Jesus, crucified and risen, God gives his own life so that we may live. The way to proclaim Christ courageously yet respectfully is to proclaim him as the Gospel of salvation, as the word of truth and life. The Gospel is good news for all, a liberating message, and a guide for new life.”

Addressing another question, the Pontiff offered advice about discernment:

Dear friends, it is in this friendship with Jesus that our discernment takes place. It is a reflection that begins by invoking the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is a constant effort that enables us to continue forward in an orderly and confident manner. How can we discern well?

Firstly, remember that the word of the Lord is always a lamp for our steps. In the light of the Gospel, spiritual formation involves prayer and service, adoration and action, silence—rare, but necessary, far from the clamor of the media—and proclamation.

Next, draw inspiration from the example of the saints. Even in the face of persecution, these brothers and sisters of ours opened paths of peace. Look to those priests who were passionate about Christ, such as Saint Eugene de Mazenod and Saint John Mary Vianney. Look to the mystical beauty of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus; the fervor in charity and mission of Blessed Pauline Jaricot; and the courage of the fifty martyrs of the apostolate who served their brothers and sisters even to the point of sacrificing their own lives during the Second World War. These saints changed the course of history by leading many people from hardship to hope, since they first changed their own hearts, transforming them in the light of faith.

In his own remarks, Pope Leo, citing St. Paul, advised the young Catholics to shun “pride, vanity, violence and greed,” to strive for “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness,” and to fight. The Pope explained:

This verb resonates powerfully here in France, the land of Saint Joan of Arc, a young woman who knew how to fight with courage. But remember that the battle we are called to fight is that of faith, through our commitment to live according to the Gospel, as disciples of Jesus, the Son of God who makes us brothers and sisters.

It is in his name that we receive the strength of the righteous to resist temptation. It is in his name that we have the perseverance of the meek to devote ourselves to doing good. Our battle is not a battle against others. It does not employ the weapons of violence, contempt or oppression. Our only weapon is that of self-giving love.

“Dear young people, in order to grow in holiness and improve our society, be radiant witnesses to this Gospel, to the good news that is Christ himself, our Savior,” the Pope concluded: “To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Tim 6:16).

 

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Further information:

• Prayer Vigil with Young People at the “Stade de France” (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 9/25/26)
• Prayer Vigil with young people at the “Stade de France” in Saint-Denis (Holy See Press Office, 9/25/26)
• Pope to young people: ‘The light of the Spirit enlightens and comforts' (Vatican News, 9/25/26)
• Sharing the vibe at Pope Leo's meeting with young people of France (Vatican News, 9/26/26)