por Judy Álvarez, cooperadora salesiana
(Los Angeles, California) – Pope Leo XIV’s historic, live, digital encounter with American youth at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2025) in Indianapolis on Friday, November 21, was an extraordinary moment that resonated deeply with attendees and viewers alike. The vibrant gathering of over 16,000 young people at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, was the setting for this significant event featuring Pope Leo in dialogue with teen representatives, sharing questions, hopes, and faith in Christ. The representatives were selected from a group of 40 youth who worked with NCYC organizers to ensure the dialogue would convey the authentic concerns of youth. Ezequiel Ponce, a Salesian youth leader from St. Dominic Savio Church in Bellflower, California, was among the five selected representatives who addressed the Pope with youth questions.
Streamed live worldwide by EWTN in a coordinated effort with Vatican Media, the encounter fostered a sense of unity among young people, the Pope, and other participants, both in person and online. As Pope Leo XIV addressed pressing issues of faith and the challenges facing the youth today, he emphasized the importance of authentic prayer, friendship, and engagement in the life of the Church. He also affirmed the essential role of young people in shaping the Church both now and in the future and called them to be missionary disciples. The profound exchange revealed the aspirations of a generation eager to grow in faith and contribute positively to the Church. This gathering served not only as a platform for dialogue but also reinforced the Church’s commitment to listening to youth and guiding them on their journey of faith.
Reflecting on this historic encounter, the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry sent an email to encourage all those in ministry with youth saying:
“As we carry this encounter forward, may we continue to breathe life into the spirit of community, dialogue, and discipleship that Pope Leo invited us to embrace. Let us keep walking together in faith and friendship, supporting one another as we seek to encounter Christ in all we do.”
To begin, see what the young church experienced in the video below, share it with other young people in your youth ministries, and continue to support them in their search for authentic relationship with Christ, meaningful engagement in the Church, and service in the world.
