Pope Francis met with a youth delegation from the Universal Peace Council, urging them to embrace hope, dialogue, and reconciliation in their mission to promote peace. Speaking to participants from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, Pope highlighted the challenges and rewards of peacebuilding, describing it as a path that requires "sacrifice and a willingness to recommit ourselves each day."

In his address, Pope commended the young delegates for their dedication to fostering peace, particularly in the Holy Land, which he noted is "once more engulfed in the dark clouds of conflict." He emphasized that young people hold a unique position in the peace process due to their idealism and creativity, describing them as "great artisans of peace."

Pope Francis offered three key reflections to inspire the young delegates. He began by acknowledging their potential to heal past wounds and overcome prejudices. “Young people remind us that a better world is possible,” he said, while warning against the dangers of ideology, which he described as a barrier to creativity and goodwill. “An unhealthy attachment to past hurts and prejudices can never lead to true and lasting peace.”

Highlighting the central role of dialogue, Pope Francis described it as the only path to achieving lasting peace. Drawing from his encyclical "Fratelli tutti", he said, “Through dialogue, young people can become great artists of peace.” He encouraged the delegates to seek closeness and mutual understanding with others, even when facing complex challenges.

Pope also reflected on the importance of hope, particularly when confronted with war, poverty, and discrimination. Acknowledging that these issues can make dialogue seem futile, he reminded the delegates, “Anything worth doing is not easy. They require sacrifice and a willingness to recommit ourselves each day, especially when things seem not to go our way.”

Concluding his speech, Pope Francis encouraged the young leaders to “keep hope alive,” reaffirming their essential role in building a more peaceful and just world.