Pope to young Brazilians: Build the City of God with greater love

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Allow God’s love to be a force for evangelization for building a better world, Pope Leo XIV told young Brazilians in a video message released on Sunday, July 26.

“Allow the Holy Spirit to rekindle within you a greater love, capable of transforming your youth into a force for evangelization, making each one of you a living stone in the building of the ‘city of peace’ that we so deeply long for—or, as Saint Augustine said, the City of God present in the midst of the city of man,” said the Pope.

He sent the video message on occasion of the “Halleluya Festival,” taking place in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza, from July 22 to 26. It is an annual Catholic music festival organized by the Shalom Catholic Community, a private association of the faithful.

God reveals to us the truth about ourselves

Pope Leo highlighted “how wonderful it is to be with young people,” noting that their “enthusiasm is contagious and awakens in all of us a renewed missionary zeal.”

He emphasized that this missionary spirit “is indispensable for transforming this world” and is what God expects from all Christians.

“Even today, there are many people who still need to know that Jesus is the one who answers their deepest longings, revealing to every person the truth about themselves,” he said.

“Therefore, proclaim with courage that a life without Christ is a life without grace! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; He is the one who gives meaning to our existence and to all things. This is the faith that moves us, and it is worth sharing with those we love and with those who need it most.”

Keep the flame of faith burning

The Pope acknowledged also that as time passes the enthusiasm experienced during religious youth gatherings can begin to fade. However, he underlined the importance of prayer “to keep the flame of faith burning and to bear witness to the Resurrection.”

“An authentic relationship with the Lord requires constancy, perseverance, and the firm conviction that our Heavenly Father never abandons us; rather, He comes to meet us in His Son. Therefore, do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away; He gives everything,” the Pope insisted.

He noted that whoever entrusts themselves to the Lord receives a hundredfold in return. “In sports, we see the joy of those who win, but also the sadness of those who lose. With Christ, we always triumph,” the Pope continued.

Use technology wisely

Pope Leo ended his address by citing an important young saint, Carlo Acutis, who was known for trying to evangelize through the internet.

The Pope encouraged young people to get inspired by him and thus “use social media and artificial intelligence well, employing these tools with moderation and discipline, because they can draw us into an unreal world where what is fleeting, mere appearances, and deception end up replacing true values and what truly matters.”

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