Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message of hope to tens of thousands of young Catholics in Peru, reminding them that no mistake, personal struggle, or uncertainty about the future can prevent them from answering Christ’s invitation to follow Him.
Speaking during a prayer vigil Thursday evening at Lima’s Estadio Nacional, the Holy Father encouraged young people to reject the belief that their past failures have placed them beyond God’s reach.
According to Vatican News, more than 60,000 people gathered for the event, which concluded the first full day of the Pope’s visit to Peru.
“Perhaps some of you may think that you have made too many mistakes or that it is already too late to begin again. I would like to say to you: Look to Jesus. He knows your story and continues to invite you to walk with Him,” Pope Leo told the crowd.
His message addressed a spiritual struggle familiar to many Catholics: the fear that past sins, unanswered questions, or uncertainty about one’s purpose can make a faithful life seem impossible.
Rather than demanding that young people have every answer before embracing their faith, the Pope encouraged them to begin with the opportunities God places before them today.
“You do not need to have your entire future figured out before responding to Him. Take the step you can take today. Trust in His love and allow Him to accompany you. Often, the Lord shows us the way as we walk along it.”
The Holy Father emphasized that Jesus is not distant from the personal struggles of His followers. Their worries, hopes, disappointments, and unanswered prayers all matter to Him.
“Jesus,” the Pope reminded those gathered, “is interested in all of this because He is interested in you.”
He encouraged young Catholics to approach Christ with sincerity, particularly during moments when prayer feels difficult or suffering seems overwhelming.
“Do not be afraid to speak to Him sincerely, even when you struggle to find the words to pray,” he said.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo also acknowledged that certain sorrows require time to heal and that seeking support from loved ones is an important part of facing life’s difficulties. Faith, he explained, offers the assurance that suffering does not have the final word.
Pope Warns Young Catholics Against the False Promises of Sin
Beyond offering encouragement, Pope Leo challenged young people to recognize the spiritual dangers of pursuing happiness apart from God’s will.
He addressed the temptation to believe that following Christ means sacrificing personal fulfillment or missing out on life’s experiences.
The Pope warned that this misunderstanding can lead people to believe they must experience sin to discover genuine happiness.
Recalling a teaching of Pope Benedict XVI, he emphasized a simple but important truth: “Evil always poisons.”
“Do not be deceived! How could something that harms us bring us happiness? God knows our deepest desires even better than we do. He has placed within us the desire to love and to be happy, and He wants to bring that desire to its fullness.”
His remarks presented Christian discipleship not as a rejection of happiness, but as the path toward the lasting fulfillment for which God created every person.
The Holy Father also urged young people to resist allowing society’s expectations to determine the direction of their lives.
“God created you capable of doing a good that no one else can accomplish in exactly the same way,” he reminded them.
That calling, he explained, becomes clearer through a relationship with Christ and a willingness to listen for God’s guidance.
Prayer, the Eucharist, and Discovering God’s Plan
Pope Leo placed particular emphasis on the importance of silence, prayer, and Eucharistic devotion in helping young Catholics discern their vocations.
According to Vatican News, he encouraged those gathered to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, bringing their hopes and questions directly to Jesus.
“For this reason, dear young people, set aside moments of silence, moments of silence before the Blessed Sacrament, to encounter Him. Speak to Him about your plans and allow His Word to challenge you. Do not be afraid to ask Him what He expects of you.”
The Pope reminded the young people that God’s calling takes different forms. Some may be called to the priesthood or consecrated life, while others may discover their vocation in marriage and family life.
Regardless of their individual paths, every Catholic is called to use the gifts God has given them in service to others.
The Holy Father encouraged the young people to develop a lasting friendship with Jesus through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, and attention to Sacred Scripture.
“Our vocation, too, grows when we learn to remain close to the Lord, to listen to Him and to share our joys and concerns with Him,” he explained.
He also urged young Catholics not to hide their faith, but to demonstrate through their daily lives the difference that knowing Christ can make.
“Do not be afraid to speak about Jesus and to show through your lives how much good His friendship does for you.”
Jesus Takes Nothing Away and Gives Everything
One of the central themes of Pope Leo’s address was the assurance that surrendering one’s life to Christ does not mean losing what makes life meaningful.
Drawing again from Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father recalled the teaching that Jesus “takes nothing away, and He gives you everything.”
For young Catholics facing decisions about relationships, careers, education, and their futures, the message offered a different perspective on freedom and fulfillment.
Following God’s will, the Pope emphasized, is not an obstacle to a meaningful life. Rather, trusting Christ allows believers to discover the purpose and love for which they were created.
He urged those gathered to approach Jesus with the confidence they would place in a faithful friend.
“Trust in Christ! Trust in Him as you would in a true friend, one who knows you, loves you and never abandons you.”
The Pope’s words also carried a message for Catholics of every generation: a relationship with Jesus is not reserved for those who have lived without mistakes or who already understand every aspect of their faith.
Christ continues to call His followers to conversion, friendship, and a deeper trust in His love.
A Simple Prayer for Every Catholic
As the vigil drew to a close, Pope Leo invited the faithful to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints of Peru, asking for the grace to grow in trust and remain faithful to their vocations.
He concluded by offering a prayer that young Catholics, families, and believers everywhere can make their own:
Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Jesus, I trust in you.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Come into my heart,
come into my family,
come into my community.
Come quickly into my life!
Come quickly, Lord!
The prayer captured the heart of the Pope’s message in Lima: no matter how uncertain the future may appear, or how many mistakes a person has made, Jesus continues to invite each soul to begin again.
For Catholics struggling with regret, doubt, or fear of what lies ahead, the Holy Father’s encouragement offers a reminder that the first step toward a renewed life of faith can begin today.
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