Pope Leo to Peruvian young people: Be Christ’s ‘salt and light’

By Renato Martinez 

“Do not be afraid to be God’s instruments for rekindling hope in the many, many hearts that are suffering.”

With these words, Pope Leo XIV addressed the participants in Peru’s National Youth Day (JNJ) 2026, taking place from 30 July to 2 August in the city of Chulucanas, in the Piura region.

The event seeks to strengthen participants’ personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to promote a Church that is united in communion, synodal, and missionary.

An event that renews and strengthens the life of the Church

In his video message, the Holy Father thanked the more than 4,000 participants—including young people, Bishops, priests, and men and women religious from across Peru who have prepared with great enthusiasm over recent months for the event.

“I thank you wholeheartedly for responding to this initiative,” the Pope said, describing it as one “that renews and strengthens the life of the Church.”

Be courageous and bear witness

Reflecting on the theme of this National Youth Day, organized by the Episcopal Commission for Youth and Laity together with the Diocese of Chulucanas, the Pope encouraged young people to bear witness that it is possible to live united in Christ, recalling the event’s motto: “Be courageous, Christ is alive.”

“The certainty of the Lord’s living presence in our midst is the inner fire that urges us to be courageous,” Pope Leo said.

He encouraged the young people to step beyond “the comfort of individualism,” to become part of “a community of brothers and sisters in the faith,” to forge “genuine bonds of friendship,” and to bear witness “that it is possible to live united in Christ.”

Be God’s instruments for rekindling hope

Pope Leo XIV also invited the young people to open their hearts to receive the gifts the Lord wishes to pour out upon them during these days.

“Do not be afraid to be God’s instruments for rekindling hope in the many, many hearts that are suffering,” he said.

He also urged them not to keep the experience of the gathering to themselves.

“Do not let it remain only in the photos on your phones or in videos shared on social media,” he said. 

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Instead, he encouraged them to share it through the witness of their lives, insisting that many people today need “the joyful and contagious witness that a young person in love with Christ can offer.”

Be Christ’s salt and light in Peru

Before imparting his Apostolic Blessing, the Holy Father entrusted all those taking part in the National Youth Day to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Evangelization.

“May she intercede for you,” the Pope prayed, “so that you may be Christ’s ‘salt and light’ in this beloved land of Peru. May God bless you!”