Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young people to build a deep relationship with God, saying that true happiness and lasting peace can only be found through His love, not through material possessions, social media, or temporary pleasures.
In a video message sent to the 50th Steubenville Summer Youth Conference in Ohio, the Pope reflected on the meaning of authentic peace and joy, drawing inspiration from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The annual gathering, organized by Franciscan University of Steubenville, is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year.
The Pope also noted that 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. He said the saint’s life continues to offer valuable lessons to young people seeking peace and purpose in a world often filled with distractions and uncertainty.
Recalling how Saint Francis greeted people with the words “Peace and all good,” Pope Leo invited young people to reflect on whether they genuinely desire peace for those around them. He acknowledged that spreading peace is not always easy, but explained that Saint Francis was able to do so because he carried within himself the peace that comes from God.
According to the Pope, peace is not something that can be achieved through human effort alone. Rather, it is a gift from God that enters a person’s heart when they welcome the Lord into their lives. Once they receive that gift, Christians are called to become instruments of peace within their families, communities, countries, and throughout the world.
He encouraged participants to use moments of silence during the conference to listen to God and discover the peace that Christ promised to His followers.
The Pope also addressed the question of whether it is possible to remain joyful during difficult times. He answered that genuine joy can exist even in hardship, but only when a person’s life is rooted in a loving relationship with God.
Pope Leo warned young people against seeking happiness in things that offer only temporary satisfaction. He said true joy cannot be found by spending endless hours on electronic devices, constantly scrolling through social media, or focusing solely on entertainment. While technology has its place, he noted that excessive use can consume time that could otherwise be spent on prayer, friendships, family relationships, study, sports, and personal growth.
He also cautioned against looking for happiness through harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, or an obsession with appearance and popularity. Likewise, he said that wealth, beauty, fame, and even physical health cannot provide lasting fulfillment because all earthly things eventually pass away.
Instead, the Pope stressed that the human heart finds complete joy only in God’s love. He reminded young people that they are precious in God’s eyes and are loved unconditionally.
Many young people, he said, have heard throughout their lives that God loves them, but he challenged them to truly believe it. He explained that confidence in God’s love can help people remain strong even when facing anxiety, sadness, loneliness, or other difficulties.
Pope Leo said that regular prayer, participation in the sacraments, and trust in God’s guidance allow His grace to transform lives. He described this trust as the secret to facing challenges with hope and even with a smile.
The Pope concluded by encouraging young people to remain open to God’s plans for their lives. Whether called to marriage, religious life, priesthood, or missionary service, he urged them not to respond with fear but with generosity and trust.
Wishing all participants a fruitful conference, Pope Leo prayed that they would experience Christ’s love, build meaningful friendships, and discover the true happiness that comes from giving their lives fully to God.