Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young people who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire their lives each day, saying the gift they have received should never be hidden.
Speaking during his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, the Pope addressed young people from the Diocese of Chiavari who were accompanied by their Bishop. He reminded them that Confirmation gives Christians a special gift through the Holy Spirit, a gift that is meant to be lived openly through faith and daily actions.
“Dear young people, in Confirmation you have received the most beautiful gift, the Holy Spirit: it is not a treasure to be kept hidden, but a light that you must make shine every day,” Pope Leo said.
His message placed particular attention on the responsibility that comes with receiving the Holy Spirit. Rather than treating faith as something private or something that remains inside the church, the Pope encouraged the young people to allow it to influence the way they live, make decisions and relate to others.
Pope also greeted young people, sick people and newly married couples who were present at the audience. His words offered a broader invitation to live faith with courage and joy, especially at a time when many people face uncertainty and challenges in their daily lives.
During his remarks, Pope Leo also recalled two important figures from the Church’s history, Saint Monica and her son, Saint Augustine. The Church commemorates Saint Monica on Thursday and Saint Augustine on Friday.
Pope noted the special relationship between the two saints. They were connected on earth through their family relationship as mother and son, and are now united in heaven through the glory they share as saints.
Their lives also offer an important example of faith, perseverance and the search for truth. Saint Monica is remembered for her deep faith and years of prayer for her son, while Saint Augustine became one of the most influential Christian thinkers and teachers in the history of the Church.
Pope Leo urged those listening to draw inspiration from their example and to seek the truth of the Gospel with sincerity and passion.
He encouraged the young people to make their faith visible through the way they live each day. For the Pope, Christian witness is not limited to religious celebrations. It can also be expressed through kindness, honesty, compassion, service and a willingness to stand for what is right.
His message to the newly confirmed young people therefore went beyond the moment of Confirmation itself. He reminded them that receiving the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of a continuing journey of faith.
Pope’s words also reflected the central Christian belief that the Holy Spirit gives believers strength and guidance. The gift is not meant to remain unused, but to become a source of light for individuals and for the communities around them.
As the Church prepares to remember Saints Monica and Augustine, Pope Leo invited young people to follow their example by searching for truth and living their faith with joy.
He expressed hope that their witness would encourage a new generation of Christians to become confident witnesses of the Gospel in their families, schools, workplaces and communities.
For Pope Leo, the message is simple but deeply personal. The Holy Spirit is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. Those who receive that gift are called to let its light be seen in the ordinary moments of everyday life.