Pope, in World Youth Day message, emphasizes Christ’s words: ‘Take courage, I have overcome the world’

November 04, 2026

“Take courage: I have overcome the world!” is the theme of Pope Leo XIV’s World Youth Day message, released by the Vatican on November 3.

Pope Leo wrote the message in preparation for the annual celebration of World Youth Day in the world’s dioceses on the Solemnity of Christ the King, as well as the celebration of World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, next August.

Addressing young people, Pope Leo said that “I wish to reach out to each of you with this message and, above all, to give thanks to God for the gift that you are to the Church and to society.”

“He knows you, loves you and accompanies you on your journey through life,” the Pope continued. “His Spirit inspires in all of you—different as you are and spread throughout the world—the same desire for things that are great and lasting, and moves you to seek freedom and truth.”

“From God comes your desire to love and to be loved, as well as the hope that the Holy Spirit awakens in your hearts—a hope that can also become a light for others,” he added. “For all of this, I give thanks to the Lord.”

The papal message has six brief sections:

• Where does courage come from?
• The victory over the world
• The victory of self-giving love
• The courage of humility
• The risen Christ comes to meet you with his peace
• Open your hearts to Christ

The Pontiff concluded:

Dear young people, I eagerly look forward to meeting you in Seoul. But remember: the Lord whom we will encounter there is already coming to meet you. Welcome his promise—“Take courage! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33)—and let it accompany you throughout your journey.

I entrust each of you to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. May she teach you, as she herself did, to open your hearts to Christ, to trust in his word and to receive his peace with joy, so that you may share it with everyone.

 

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Further information:

• Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for the 41st World Youth Day (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/3/26)
• “Take courage: I have overcome the world!” (cf. Jn 16:33) (Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, 11/3/26)