Pope Leo XIV is urging Catholics to actively draw young people into lives of prayer, describing them as essential to the Church’s future mission of intercession for the world.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders and members of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network at the Vatican on January 30, the Holy Father emphasized the importance of forming young hearts in prayer, especially at a time when many are seeking deeper meaning and spiritual connection. According to Vatican News, the Pope stressed that young people should be invited to participate so “they may form the next generation of intercessors for the needs of the whole world.”
The Pope noted that many young people today are searching for “a more profound and personal relationship with the Risen Jesus,” adding that initiatives such as the Eucharistic Youth Movement offer a meaningful path toward deeper intimacy with Christ. According to Pope Leo XIV, this approach can help young Catholics grow spiritually while becoming more engaged in the life of the Church.
He also encouraged the Prayer Network to strengthen participation across cultures and communities, highlighting its global character. The Pope urged members “to foster an even greater participation in this Network, which unites diverse cultures, languages, and charisms in the common mission,” according to the Vatican News report.
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The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a Pontifical Work entrusted to the Society of Jesus, promotes prayer for the monthly intentions of the Holy Father, focusing on pressing challenges facing both the Church and the world. Rooted in devotion to the Heart of Jesus, the Network follows a spiritual formation path known as “The Way of the Heart.”
Pope Leo XIV reflected on how this spirituality helps believers grow closer to Christ and develop compassion for others. According to the Pope, it enables members “to know our Lord more intimately and to be more compassionate and empathetic” as they offer prayer for those in need.
Prayer, he emphasized, is not a secondary activity within the Church but central to its mission. According to the Pope, such prayer “is not external to the evangelical work of the Body of Christ, but an integral part of it.”
The Holy Father expressed gratitude to those who help share his prayer intentions with millions of people worldwide and thanked the leadership of the Prayer Network for their dedication. He concluded by expressing his hope that through this apostolate, Catholics will continue to understand themselves as “friends and apostles of Christ,” according to Vatican News.
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