Turn to Jesus when you suffer, and dare to follow Him, Pope tells 360,000 Peruvian young people

November 13, 2026

During a prayer vigil last evening (video 1, video 2), Pope Leo XIV encouraged the young people of Peru to turn to Christ in their suffering and to “dare to follow him.”

An estimated 60,000 university students and other young people were present inside the National Stadium of Peru, with an additional 300,000 outside the stadium.

In the midst of suffering, “Christ continued to love,” Pope Leo said. “He did not desire the cross; he desired our salvation. Out of love for us, he accepted it and bore it to the end. Thus, through his self-giving, that instrument of death became the place where his passionate love was revealed, a love capable of conquering death.”

“Dear young people, when you suffer, turn to Jesus,” the Pope continued. “Do not be afraid to speak to him honestly, even when you struggle to find words for prayer. He knows our tears and the questions to which we do not yet know the answers. Seek, too, the company of those who love you: some sorrows need time and a helping hand.”

The Pontiff also warned the young people against sin:

At times, we wonder whether following God’s will means giving up our dreams. This fear can give rise to an even more dangerous suspicion: thinking that God is depriving us of something and that, in order to enjoy life fully, we also need to experience sin (cf. Gen 3:5). Dear friends, I would like you to engrave in your hearts the words of Pope Benedict XVI: “evil is always poisonous.” Do not be deceived. How could something that harms us make us happy? God knows our deepest desires, even better than we know them ourselves. He has placed within us the desire to love and to be happy, and he wants to bring that desire to fulfillment.

Pope Leo encouraged the young people to cultivate friendship with Christ “through prayer, the Eucharist and listening to his word. The more we learn to love Jesus, the more capable we become of loving as he does. Our friendship with Christ also gives rise to a more authentic friendship with others, one that sincerely seeks their good, knows how to forgive and remains faithful, especially in times of difficulty. How beautiful it is to find friends who help us grow and draw us closer to God.”

“Dear young people, listen to Jesus’ invitation and dare to follow him,” the Pope said toward the conclusion of his address. “Today I would like to repeat to you that the Lord ‘takes nothing away, and he gives you everything’ (Benedict XVI, Homily, 24 April 2005). Trust in Christ! Trust him as you would a true friend, one who knows you, loves you and never abandons you. That trust will deepen your friendship with him each day. Therefore, let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the Saints of Peru, to increase our trust in him day by day, to help us live our vocation with passion and to remain always in his friendship.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Apostolic Journey to Peru: Prayer Vigil with Young People and University Students (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/12/26)
• Prayer Vigil with Young People and University Students in the National Stadium (Holy See Press Office, 11/12/26)
• Pope: Jesus 'knows your story and continues to invite you to walk with Him' (Vatican News, 11/13/26)