Pope Leo has been on the papal throne less than 100 days. He recently celebrated this happy Pearl Anniversary by hosting a three-day mega-youth jamboree in Rome. This has made this event a critical test for him. It decided whether he is able to genuinely reach out to the younger generations of the Catholic Church. The gathering drew nearly a million young people from around the world, all eager to witness a new approach from the recently elected pope, who is known for his methodical style and distinct differences from his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Pope Leo’s ascent to becoming one of the most influential men of the modern age was less than a decade ago shrouded in obscurity. He was born on the South Side of Chicago. Previous to his papacy, he used to stop by a favorite lunch spot with deep roots in Homewood, Illinois. His ability to connect with young people during this pivotal event reflects a shift in the Vatican’s approach to inclusivity and engagement with youth.
During the Jubilee of Youth on August 3, Pope Leo led a Mass at Rome’s Tor Vergata, where he addressed the sea of excited pilgrims with warmth and enthusiasm. He greeted attendees with waves and blessings, even catching a tennis ball thrown from the crowd—a gesture that resonated deeply with the youth present.
“My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible,” he proclaimed, encouraging attendees to embrace their potential as change-makers.
The pontiff has already made a name for himself with a distinctive touch. Pope Francis to spontaneity Pope Francis has taken a different approach, one rooted in spontaneity and surprise. For example, in comparison, Pope Leo depends on written texts and advice from Vatican officials. He’s the first pope to sport an Apple Watch. By composing his own emails, he injects a personal, conversational tone, one that’s particularly appealing to younger audiences.
The spirit of Pope Leo’s insistence on going beyond the surface to discern the depths of modern life clearly rang throughout his speech. As you’ve seen, all of a sudden today we’re living in a world where algorithms are figuring out what we should watch and even what we should think and what our friends should be. And so our sense of connection turns into a kind of complicated nervousness, at points fraught,” he continued. His recognition of these present-day challenges amplifies his goal of connecting with the emotional realities young people face in society today.
In his address, the pope called for solidarity with those enduring suffering and injustice across the globe. At the end of Sunday’s Mass, he stated, “We are with the young people of Gaza, we are with the young people of Ukraine,” reinforcing his commitment to advocacy and compassion.
The cultural exchange that took place over the length of the event was powerful. Young attendees like Milena Solano reflected on the experience, stating, “It’s such a cool experience to connect with people your age from different places all over the world that are living through the same thing and want to experience the same things.” This sentiment underscores the common struggles and dreams that bind young people together, regardless of background.
Victoria Aguirre, another participant, shared her hopes for Pope Leo’s prayers: “I would really love for him to pray for my family and all the immigrants and refugees in our country, just for peace and refuge and safety for them.” Youth lives testimonies show that young people view Pope Leo as something greater than a religious figure. They’d seen enough to view him as an ally in their struggles.
Experts have noted that while Pope Leo’s initial approach may differ from Pope Francis’s, successful engagement with Gen Z will require adaptation. “He has to speak in English if he wants to reach his target audience,” remarked Robert Mickens, emphasizing that language accessibility is crucial for connecting with younger Catholic demographics.
José De Urquidi reflected on the changing role of religious leaders in today’s contexts. He likened today’s Catholic influencers to missionaries of the past who learned new languages and customs: “Catholic influencers today translate eternal truths into the visual, immediate language of digital natives, meeting Gen Z within their cultural context.”
Pope Leo, as we have seen, is deliberately sailing through his pontificate. Folks are expecting, like the Great Oz, that he’ll take a few months to listen and analyze before making big personnel announcements or major decisions. His methodical approach is a marked departure from the freewheeling style of his predecessor. Yet this approach can create stronger relationships among the church.
