Buenos Aires: Pope Leo XIV has called on young people in Argentina to renew their relationship with Jesus Christ, reminding them that it is never too late to return to the Church, seek forgiveness and respond to God's call to holiness. The Pope delivered the message during a prayer vigil attended by around one million young people in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, on Tuesday evening. He encouraged them to become witnesses to Christ's love and show the world how faith can bring freedom, hope and a renewed sense of purpose.
Reflecting on the biblical account of three young men who were thrown into a furnace in Babylon for refusing to worship an idol, Pope Leo highlighted their courage in remaining faithful to God despite the threat of death. The three men chose not to follow the crowd that had bowed before an image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. Their decision, the Pope explained, showed that true freedom comes from placing God above worldly demands and pressures.
Drawing a connection with the challenges facing young people today, he warned against influences that can take control of their lives, including pornography, addictive substances and the pursuit of success, money, physical appearance and popularity at any cost. He urged young people not to surrender their freedom to anything that cannot offer genuine life. He also encouraged those who had made mistakes to rise again rather than allow their past experiences to define their future.
The Pope stressed that nobody should feel excluded from God's love because of their personal struggles or distance from the Church. Even those who have stopped praying or feel that their lives have become difficult can find their way back to Christ.
Taking up a question raised during one of the young people's testimonies, he challenged them to consider who had convinced them that their opportunity to change had passed. Pope Leo insisted that no one could fall so far that Christ would be unable to help them rise again. He said God's call to holiness remains open to everyone, regardless of their past.
He also explained that Christ's love does not mean accepting a life controlled by sin or destructive behaviour. Instead, God's mercy offers people the opportunity to break free from what holds them back and rediscover their ability to love. Returning to the story of the three young men in the furnace, the Pope highlighted their humble prayer asking God to accept them with repentant hearts and humble spirits. Their courage was accompanied by an awareness of their need for divine mercy.
Pope Leo encouraged the young people to follow the example of saints who recognised their weaknesses but allowed God's grace to transform their lives. He called on them to make their everyday actions reflections of the Gospel, so that others could recognise the love and joy of Jesus through their lives. During the gathering, the Pope also responded to questions from young people about personal challenges, work and their daily responsibilities.
Addressing how to deal with frustration and personal limitations, he referred to a teaching associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola, which encourages people to make their best efforts while recognising that everything ultimately depends on God. On the importance of work, Pope Leo pointed to the years Jesus spent working as a carpenter before beginning his public ministry. He encouraged young people to approach their studies, employment and time with friends with love and offer these activities to God.
In this way, he explained, ordinary responsibilities can become a form of prayer and an opportunity to grow in holiness. The prayer vigil brought together around one million young people in Buenos Aires, giving them an opportunity to share their experiences, raise questions and reflect with the Pope on faith, personal struggles and their role in the Church.
Through his message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged a generation facing different pressures to remain faithful to Christ, seek God's mercy when they fall and recognise that the journey towards holiness can begin again at any moment.