Pope to West African youth: Bear witness to peace, love amid conflicts

By Devin Watkins

Pope Leo XIV sent a video message in English and French to thousands of young people gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the first-ever West Africa Youth Days.

The event takes place on September 7-12 under the theme “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa,” and was organized by the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA).

In his message, the Pope praised the Bishops of the 16 countries for placing young people at the heart of their pastoral priorities.

“I am convinced that these powerful moments spent together will help you to grow in faith and become ever more deeply enriched by values such as encounter and openness to others,” he said.

Pope Leo noted that young people endure the weight of doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity, threatening to upset their plans for the future.

“At a time when so many crises seem to darken your horizon,” he said, “I wish to encourage you to move forward without losing hope.”

Despite their difficulties, the Pope told young West Africans that they do not belong to a “sacrificed generation,” but are rather the “today of God, the today of the Church.”

Young people, he said, citing Pope Benedict XVI, are rich in talents, energy, dreams, and hopes, noting that their youth is itself a treasure for the Church and the world.

Pope Leo invited young people to face the challenge of walking together to bring about positive change to their societies.

“Walking together means ensuring that no one is marginalized, isolated, excluded, or rejected,” he said. “Be builders of bridges between peoples, cultures, and religions.”

Just as Jesus recognized the presence of God in people who live on the margins of society, young people must follow His example and include everyone in their journey, he said.

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The Pope told the young people gathered in Accra that the Church trusts them and relies on their good-will.

“Through your words and actions, send a powerful message to our world, which is beset by wars and conflicts of every kind,” he said. “Be witnesses of love, justice, and peace.”

Rather than sacrificing their “precious youth on the altar of artificial pleasures and superficiality,” he urged them to stop doomscrolling and go beyond themselves to fulfill their deepest desires.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his video message to the young people of West Africa by entrusting them to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“May she intercede with her Son, Jesus Christ, for the integral human development of your dear nations.”