Pope Urges Youth Engagement in Global Prayer Mission
Pope Leo XIV met with members and leadership of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network at the Vatican, encouraging them to strengthen their mission by actively engaging young people in prayer and spiritual accompaniment. Speaking to the audience, the Pope highlighted the importance of forming a new generation capable of responding to the world’s needs through intercessory prayer. He noted that many young people today are searching for meaning and a deeper personal relationship with Christ, and said the Network offers a pathway for spiritual growth rooted in Eucharistic life and shared intention. The Pope emphasised that drawing young people into this mission is not only a matter of continuity but also a response to their desire for authentic faith experiences that connect personal spirituality with the needs of the wider human family.
The Pope encouraged the Network to continue fostering participation across cultures and languages, describing its global reach as a sign of unity within the Church. He underlined that prayer brings together diverse communities around a shared spiritual responsibility, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. In this context, he pointed to the value of initiatives aimed at young people, particularly those that support faith formation and communal prayer. The Pope said that encouraging youth participation strengthens the Church’s capacity to respond spiritually to global challenges. He added that prayer, when lived collectively, nurtures empathy and responsibility, allowing believers to engage with the suffering and hopes of others while remaining rooted in faith and communion.
During his address, the Pope reflected on the spiritual foundations of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which is entrusted to the Society of Jesus and centres its mission on the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus. He noted that this spiritual framework helps believers deepen their relationship with Christ while cultivating compassion and attentiveness to the needs of others. Through its formation path, the Network invites participants to integrate prayer into daily life and to see intercession as an essential expression of Christian discipleship. The Pope expressed hope that the Network’s work would continue to help the baptized recognise their role as active participants in the Church’s mission rather than passive observers of faith.
The Pope also expressed appreciation for the efforts undertaken to share his monthly prayer intentions with millions of people worldwide. He stressed that prayer is not separate from the Church’s evangelical mission but is a vital component of it, sustaining pastoral and charitable action. By bringing the intentions of humanity before God, the Network supports the Church’s spiritual response to social and ecclesial challenges. The Pope thanked the international leadership and collaborators of the Network for their dedication, acknowledging their role in maintaining a global structure of prayer and solidarity. He concluded by encouraging them to persevere in their mission, particularly by accompanying young people as they grow in faith and responsibility.
