For the first time in history, a Pope will meet virtually with thousands of young American Catholics gathered for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). Pope Leo XIV will join an online, interactive session with up to 15,000 youth on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time, according to Vatican News.
The 45-minute live dialogue will connect the Holy Father with selected young participants ages 14–18 from Catholic youth movements across the United States. The Holy See Press Office and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) announced the event on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary “to entrust the event to the Blessed Mother” (Vatican News).
A Historic Encounter for Catholic Youth
The NCYC is one of the largest gatherings of Catholic young people in the country, offering three days of “prayer, formation, community, and celebration” in Indianapolis (Vatican News). Pope Leo XIV’s participation will mark his first-ever digital encounter with NCYC attendees, underscoring his desire to listen and respond directly to their faith questions and personal experiences.
“This is an expression of his closeness to Catholic youth,” said Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, Episcopal Advisor and NFCYM board member (Vatican News).
A Sign of the Church’s Care for Young Voices
Christina Lamas, Executive Director of NFCYM, emphasized the importance of the Pope’s presence: “We are humbled and thrilled to welcome the Holy Father to NCYC,” she said. “His presence is a profound reminder that young people are at the heart of the Church and that their voices matter” (Vatican News).
The Holy Father’s message will build upon recent youth-focused initiatives, such as his online outreach during the first-ever Digital Influencers Jubilee and his personal meetings at the Jubilee for Youth in Rome. As Vatican News notes, the event will “further reflect the Church’s care and concern for their voices, experiences, and hopes.”
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