"Aspire to Great Things": Pope Leo XIV Challenges Youth to Be Bold

Juana Perez '26

In his first message to youths worldwide since his election less than a month ago, Pope Leo XIV has challenged them not to be "mediocre," but to "have the courage to want great things in life." In his first international trip since becoming Pope, the Pontiff spoke to tens of thousands of students. And in a speech designed to portray his new ministry as that of an apostle abroad, he said he was relying on the young people to remake their world inspired by courage and holiness.

This direct appeal to the youth forms a very particular modus in which Pope Leo XIV wants to lead his papacy. Electing to have a conversation with students shortly after his election, indicates that, for him, the youth are not simply the Church of tomorrow, but its today. His narrative is a response to contemporary fears, exhorting young women to strengthen their faith and lead with conviction in an uncertain world.

The pope’s words came on his historic apostolic visit to Lebanon on Dec. 1, 2025. Selecting the Middle East for his inaugural visit was deliberate, part of an effort to build bridges and sow hope in a region burdened by repeated cycles of strife.

According to transcripts from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV was very expressive and energetic while he was talking to young people. He even went a step further after realizing that his formal speech didn't really fit the occasion, and gave a very touching talk straight from the heart. In fact, he singled out the teenagers and talked about their kinds of difficulties and problems which he said are the most common ones of the contemporary ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌youth.

"Do not let your dreams be stifled by fear or the noise of the world," Pope Leo XIV told the gathering. "You are called to more than just existence; you are called to holiness. And remember, holiness is not a burden that weighs you down—it is a pair of wings that allows you to fly."

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ point made by the pope about the role of women in the catholic faith was a very loud, clear and nice to the students of our school. The pope, referring to the topics to be discussed at the Jubilee 2025, singled out "the genius of women" as the key to the world’s healing after it has been hurt by society. He said to the girls: "Go ahead, use your education and your voices to bring about justice and ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌compassion".

"The world needs your intuition, your strength, and your unique capacity to love," he stated. "When you aspire to great things, you transform your communities."

With​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the Church continuing its journey to the 2025 Jubilee year, Pope Leo XIV didn't hesitate to show his full support for young people. A call like this could not be more clear. He expects each and every youth to come out, not to watch, but to be the main characters of their lives and of their ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌belief.