During his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel account of the rich young man who approached Jesus with a pressing question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The Holy Father used this encounter to highlight two key actions of the young man — first, his eagerness in running to Jesus, and later, his saddened departure.

Pope Francis began by noting how the unnamed man ran to Jesus, motivated by a sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction, despite his wealth. “He is searching for a fuller life,” Pope explained, “as is often the case with those who possess many riches.” His haste in approaching Jesus reveals a deep desire for meaning and fulfillment beyond material goods.

Jesus’ response is filled with love. He looks at the young man with affection and invites him to go further—to sell all he owns, give to the poor, and follow Him. However, this invitation leads to a surprising and tragic conclusion: the young man, upon hearing the challenge, becomes sorrowful and leaves.

“How great and impetuous was his desire to meet Jesus,” Pope Francis said, “and how cold and swift his departure from Him!” The young man’s quick exit highlights a crucial point in Pope’s reflection: that we, like him, often seek happiness and meaning but mistakenly believe material wealth and security will fulfill our deepest desires.

Jesus wants to reveal something far greater to us. Pope Francis emphasized that the good we truly yearn for is God Himself—His love for us and the eternal life that only He can offer. “True wealth,” Pope said, “is to be looked upon with love by Him,” just as Jesus looked lovingly at the rich young man, “and to love one another by making our lives a gift for others.”

Pope Francis then explained the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ invitation to the young man, calling it a call to “take the risk of love.” He encouraged the faithful to strip themselves of false securities and be attentive to those in need, whether through sharing material goods, talents, friendship, or time. This, Pope said, is the path to genuine fulfillment.

As he concluded, Pope Francis invited everyone to reflect on their own hearts: “What is our heart attached to? What makes us happy? Do we share with those in need?” He stressed once more that “true wealth lies not in the goods of this world, but in being loved by God and learning to love like Him.”

In his Angelus message, Pope’s words served as a poignant reminder that the ultimate source of happiness is not found in worldly possessions, but in the boundless love of God and our ability to share that love with others.