Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has given a heartfelt “mission” to the young pilgrims from Peru who are in Rome for the Jubilee of Young People: take the Good News of Jesus Christ back to their homeland, and become living witnesses of His love wherever they go.
Speaking to the vibrant Peruvian delegation gathered at the Vatican, the Pope encouraged them not to reduce their pilgrimage experience to photo albums or fleeting memories. “Do not let the Jubilee become just a memory framed in pictures,” he said. “Let it be a fire that lights up your homes, your cities, and your hearts with the joy and strength of the Gospel.”
The Pope referred to the Peruvian pilgrims as “messengers of hope,” acknowledging the sacrifices made by families and parish communities to make their journey to Rome possible. “I see not just you, but the faces of your loved ones, your communities, who with great effort and love made this pilgrimage a reality,” he said, extending his gratitude to those who made their participation possible.
Reflecting on the day’s liturgical readings, Pope Leo reminded the youth that while they may feel small, they are part of something vast and powerful the Church, “a great family rooted in Christ, where even the smallest can bear fruit through His grace.” Drawing on the words of Saint Augustine, the Holy Father emphasized how the power of the faithful, even when humble, can grow and spread across the world as God’s people.
The central theme of his address was a call to action: evangelize with your lives. “When you return to Peru, flood your country with the joy of the Gospel. Make sure everyone you meet sees in you the face of Christ,” Pope Leo urged. “Let people not just hear about Jesus from you let them see Him in you.”
He further encouraged them to carry this mission not in grand gestures, but through the “small and hidden” acts of love and service in daily life. “Be missionaries wherever you go,” the Pope said, “even if your mission field is simply your neighborhood or school.”
The Pope also invoked the powerful witness of Peruvian saints like Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres as role models who lived the Gospel through humility and service. “Just like them, let your lives be transparent to the presence of the Lord.”
As the youth prepare to return to Peru, Pope Leo drew attention to their symbolic backpacks, filled only with essentials. “These backpacks are more than travel gear,” he said. “They are a sign of your mission to carry Christ lightly, but everywhere.”
The Pope’s final words were a blessing and a challenge: “Take the light of Christ home. Do not be silent about what you’ve seen and heard. Let Peru hear the Gospel not just in words, but in your lives.”