Chicago: In a heartfelt video message broadcast from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV reached out to the youth of his native city, Chicago, and beyond, urging them to become builders of unity and messengers of peace in a fractured world. The address was part of a vibrant youth gathering hosted on June 14 at Rate Field the iconic home of the Chicago White Sox organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago to celebrate their former Archbishop’s elevation to the papacy.
Thousands of young people, joined by families, clergy, and Cardinal Blase Cupich, came together on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity to honor the new pontiff and embrace his call to deeper faith and community.
Reflecting on the mystery of the Trinity, Pope Leo described it as the ultimate symbol of love and harmony, inviting the youth to mirror that divine communion in their own relationships. “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in love, and they extend that unity to all of us,” he said. “Let that be a pattern for your lives live in connection, not isolation.”
The Pope acknowledged the hardships and spiritual fatigue many young people feel in today’s world, particularly in the aftermath of the global pandemic. He encouraged them not to be discouraged by a culture that often sidelines faith, but to allow their inner longing for purpose and connection to lead them back to God.
“You might feel your world hasn’t nurtured your faith,” he said, “but your heart still searches for love, for meaning, for ways to serve. That desire is where God begins His work in you.”
He emphasized that faith flourishes through community, urging young people to seek strength through friendships rooted in Christ and to actively participate in their parishes and neighborhoods. “Together, with hearts open, you will find God’s grace brings healing and joy,” he assured them.
Drawing inspiration from Saint Augustine’s famous phrase about the “restless heart,” Pope Leo reminded his audience that the search for meaning is not a flaw but a gift. “Don’t try to silence your restlessness,” he said. “Instead, recognize that it is God stirring your soul, calling you to something greater.”
With both pastoral warmth and prophetic urgency, he called on the youth to be catalysts for reconciliation in a world marked by fragmentation. “The world needs your voice,” he declared. “You are called to bring a hope that is rooted in truth, to be peace-makers where there is conflict, and unity-builders where there is division.”
Referencing Saint Paul’s call to be ambassadors of Christ and Saint Augustine’s thirst for divine love, Pope Leo wove a message deeply anchored in the Church’s tradition, yet spoken in the language of modern longing and mission.
As the celebration concluded, Pope Leo imparted a blessing on the thousands gathered: “May the Lord’s peace and love be upon each of you. May your lives shine brightly as beacons of hope a sign that peace is still possible, that love still transforms, and that the future is full of grace.”
In a world that often feels fractured and uncertain, Pope Leo XIV’s message was clear and stirring: young people are not just the future they are the present light, called to carry Christ’s love into every corner of a weary world.