reflections, updates and homilies from Deacon Mike Talbot inspired by the following words from my ordination: Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach...
West African Youth Days: Five days to foster peace and hope
The 2026 West African Youth Days (JOAJ) open on September 7, in Accra, Ghana. Over the following four days, young Catholics from 16 West African countries will come together around the theme: “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa.”
By Moriba Camara, S.J.
The 2026 West African Youth Days (JOAJ) open this Monday, September 7, in Accra, Ghana. Over the following four days, young Catholics from 16 West African countries will join together around the theme: “Take courage: young Catholics, actors and agents of peace and hope in West Africa.”
The first day is dedicated to welcoming the delegations and discovering Ghanaian culture. It will conclude with a welcome ceremony, followed by Eucharistic adoration with the Rosary and meditation.
On Tuesday, September 8, the young people will explore the topics of faith and culture, guided by the theme: “Rooted in faith, courageous in witness.” After the opening Mass, attention will turn to the subject of “Digital evangelization: Faith in the news feed – Using social media for mission” during a workshop. A cultural evening will then give the various delegations an opportunity to share the music, dances and artistic expressions of their respective countries.
Young people, agents of peace
The third day, Wednesday, September 9, will focus on leadership and social engagement under the theme “Strengthened for mission.” Catecheses with the bishops and the day's workshops will address, among other topics, the role of young people in “social change in West Africa,” climate justice, peacebuilding, and the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and conflicts in the African subregion.
On Thursday, September 10, participants will spend a day focused on pilgrimage and solidarity under the theme, “Walking together in faith and service.” They will learn more about missionary vocations and take part in a Marian day at a parish in Accra, including a catechesis on Mary, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Mary will be presented as “Queen of Peace and a model disciple for young people.”
On Friday, September 11, the young people will be sent forth on mission under the theme “Go and help hope grow.” A catechesis with the bishops will prepare them to become “actors and agents of peace,” before the solemn closing Mass presided over by Archbishop Julien Kaboré, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.
Finally, on the morning of Saturday, September 12, the young people will return to their respective countries, carrying with them a mission of peace, hope and reconciliation.
Pope to West African youth: Bear witness to peace, love amid conflicts
Pope Leo XIV encourages young people in West Africa in their journey of faith, and invites them to live as a message of love, justice, and peace in our world beset by war and conflict.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Leo XIV sent a video message in English and French to thousands of young people gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the first-ever West Africa Youth Days.
The event takes place on September 7-12 under the theme “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa,” and was organized by the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA).
In his message, the Pope praised the Bishops of the 16 countries for placing young people at the heart of their pastoral priorities.
“I am convinced that these powerful moments spent together will help you to grow in faith and become ever more deeply enriched by values such as encounter and openness to others,” he said.
Pope Leo noted that young people endure the weight of doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity, threatening to upset their plans for the future.
“At a time when so many crises seem to darken your horizon,” he said, “I wish to encourage you to move forward without losing hope.”
Despite their difficulties, the Pope told young West Africans that they do not belong to a “sacrificed generation,” but are rather the “today of God, the today of the Church.”
Young people, he said, citing Pope Benedict XVI, are rich in talents, energy, dreams, and hopes, noting that their youth is itself a treasure for the Church and the world.
Pope Leo invited young people to face the challenge of walking together to bring about positive change to their societies.
“Walking together means ensuring that no one is marginalized, isolated, excluded, or rejected,” he said. “Be builders of bridges between peoples, cultures, and religions.”
Just as Jesus recognized the presence of God in people who live on the margins of society, young people must follow His example and include everyone in their journey, he said.
The Pope told the young people gathered in Accra that the Church trusts them and relies on their good-will.
“Through your words and actions, send a powerful message to our world, which is beset by wars and conflicts of every kind,” he said. “Be witnesses of love, justice, and peace.”
Rather than sacrificing their “precious youth on the altar of artificial pleasures and superficiality,” he urged them to stop doomscrolling and go beyond themselves to fulfill their deepest desires.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his video message to the young people of West Africa by entrusting them to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“May she intercede with her Son, Jesus Christ, for the integral human development of your dear nations.”
In Assisi, Pope encourages young people to ‘touch the suffering flesh of others'
At Mass for the 2026 Franciscan Youth Meeting in Assisi, the Pope encourages young people to “overcome resignation and fear,” and “write new pages of history.”
By Tiziana Campisi
Pope Leo celebrated Mass on Thursday for the thousands of young people from across Europe gathered in Assisi for Go! the 2026 Franciscan Youth Meeting.
At Mass in the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, the Pope encouraged his young listeners to go “to the margins” of society, “where the injustice and arrogance of a few deny the dignity and dreams of many”.
“We are called to read the Scriptures with the Master,” Pope Leo said, “to interpret our times, and to make decisions as we walk in His footsteps. We are here to overcome resignation and fear, to untangle the doubts that hold us back just as they held back the apostles. Jesus calls us into a dialogue with His story so that we may write new pages of history.”
Assisi is a place where “everything whispers that our lives can be transformed, unleash light, and repair the world,” the Pope said, reminding his listeners that it was here in Assisi that “the transfiguration of Francis, of Clare, and then of thousands of other young people” first began.
Young people gathered for Mass with Pope Leo (@VATICAN MEDIA)
Listening and decision-making
Pope Leo began his homily by considering the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which the Church marks today.
Jesus, the Pope said, was “transfigured precisely in conversation with the Father, with those who preceded him — Moses and Elijah — and with his contemporaries, the disciples.”
The Church exists, Pope Leo said, “to draw us into this dynamic of listening and deciding, helping us understand for whom to live and how to live.”
The Church is “the community where we learn to distinguish the voice of God”, the Pope stressed, “and to dare that obedience to the Holy Spirit that made bold and creative all those who agreed to follow Jesus.”
Embracing 'sister poverty'
While St Francis’ choice to turn away from the world was revolutionary, St Clare’s was “even more striking”, Pope Leo said. Like Francis, Clare “wanted to live … in true freedom”, and this, the Pope explained, is the "energy" of Christianity - “that of beginnings and many fresh starts”.
“And so, dear young people, today Europe and the whole world are looking to you for new saints: dare to believe in the word of the Gospel, become fully human with the freedom of Jesus Christ, and embrace Sister Poverty! The title of your gathering—Go!—is a mission, a sending out onto roads for which we have no maps, because they open up as we listen to the heart, obey the Spirit, and follow the Risen Lord where He has chosen to go before us.”
All of this must be done without keeping our distance “from the wounds of the Lord,” as Pope Francis warned, Leo continued, quoting Evangelii gaudium, in which his predecessor stresses that “Jesus wants us to touch human misery, to touch the suffering flesh of others. He expects us to stop looking for those personal or communal niches that allow us to keep our distance from the heart of human suffering.”
Committing to the civilization of love
Even if his listeners "might not be understood, even by those in your own home—just as happened to Saint Francis,” the Pope stressed that “stepping away from the culture of power and tearing down the walls that divide human beings is never a betrayal of family, city, or tradition.”
Rather, he said, it serves to free us "from their ghosts, from enemies invented out of fear and ignorance, and from the violence that seeks to impose its own neat little order on a reality that vastly exceeds us on every side.”
“To trust in God is to discover, like Francis and Clare, a world of brothers and sisters to be appreciated and served, not exploited and dominated,” the Pope said. “Not a world to be defended, but one to be embraced.”
Pope in Assisi: Build a civilization of love, not division
At Santa Maria degli Angeli, the first stop on his pastoral visit, the Pope answers questions from young people and explains that Gospel radicalism is “the opposite of fundamentalism: it does not make us blind and violent, but sensitive and attentive,” and welcoming towards all.
By Antonella Palermo
How can the spiritual legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi be lived out today? How can we embrace a spirit of service and welcome in a world increasingly shaped by oppression and consumerism? And how can we continue to trust a Church that is itself marked by crises and contradictions?
These were some of the questions put to the Pope today by three young people, who gave voice to concerns shared not only by their own generation, but by many others as well.
Pope Leo chose to begin his pastoral visit to the Umbrian town of Assisi by meeting young people at Santa Maria degli Angeli. Responding at length to each of their questions, he reiterated several key principles: religion must never be exploited for political purposes, while leadership should be liberating, responsible and inclusive.
Going against the tide: Healing memories and fostering reconciliation
Karolina, from Zagreb, was the first to speak. She asked how people can remain authentic disciples of Christ and share a living faith that does not remain confined within church walls.
In response, the Pope returned to the subject of war, recalling that Karolina comes from “a region of Europe that experienced war only thirty years ago, as well as the dangerous intertwining of religious affiliation and nationalism.”
The Franciscans’ long-standing commitment to dialogue in the region, he noted, has helped Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Muslims live together in peace. This, Pope Leo said, is the path that must continue to be followed.
“Today, being faithful to this tradition of closeness means going against the tide, working to heal memories and fostering reconciliation. Christians will increasingly be called to become peacemakers in societies tempted to exploit religion in conflicts between different identities.”
Karolina shakes Pope Leo's hand (@Vatican Media)
Misinformation and prejudice create fear; Christ opens the heart
To live as spiritual sons and daughters of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Pope stressed, means understanding the true meaning of Gospel radicalism.
It “is the opposite of fundamentalism: it does not make us blind and violent, but sensitive and attentive, always following Jesus and therefore humble and welcoming towards everyone. It is not easy, but it brings great joy.”
Following this path, the Pope suggested, sometimes means making uncomfortable or unfashionable choices, while resisting every attempt at manipulation.
“Bearing witness to Christ therefore remains both fascinating and demanding, because it opens our minds and hearts beyond artificial boundaries—that is, beyond the fears created by misinformation and the walls of prejudice.”
Technology makes us forget how to be together
Pope Leo then reflected on Saint Francis’ insight that poverty can bring people closer, even when they seem far apart.
He recalled what it means to be the Church: a home open to everyone, a community that listens and experiences the joy of fraternity. It is also a place where people rediscover the physical reality of being together, beyond the virtual world, and the value of silence, which “is the opposite of war, with its violence, shouting and cruelty.”
“Dear young people, how beautiful it is to be together and ‘speak about God’ and, in His light, about life itself, in all its beauty, mystery and seriousness!”
“Bear witness to this way of living wherever you go, especially at a time when technology is making us forget how to be together as people of flesh and blood.”
Making a lifelong commitment is a revolutionary act
Giovanni, from Bologna, asked the Pope how it is possible to give a wholehearted “yes” to God in a world that often struggles to look beyond the immediate future or towards eternity.
He also asked what had helped Robert Prevost along his own vocational journey.
“Making a definitive choice is perhaps the most revolutionary act,” the Pope replied.
The problem today, he said, lies in “an occasionally confused understanding of freedom,” which can foster the illusion “that problems can be solved by running away, by betraying others, or by taking only a few steps along constantly changing paths, without ever travelling far.”
The Pope warned that constantly seeking new experiences, relationships and possessions often point to an inner emptiness. It can even lead people to treat others as commodities. True love, he said, is something entirely different.
“Deciding forever does not imprison us in a cage but opens us to a greater dynamism. Love is an exodus, a road to be discovered, a journey that God undertakes with us. This is the true meaning of every vocation.”
Giovanni listens to Pope Leo's response to his question (@Vatican Media)
Saying ‘yes to becoming Pope
Prompted by Giovanni’s question, Pope Leo offered a glimpse into his own personal journey.
He explained that decisions must be renewed each day and that a vocation is “a journey of redemption and healing.” It requires daily commitment and constant vigilance against the way sin can cloud a person’s judgement.
“In my experience, I can say that the Lord has never left me alone. He has always accompanied me, also giving me people with whom to walk. In my vocation to be a priest, a member of the Augustinian community and a missionary, I found a light that has guided me to this day, until I had to say ‘yes’ to a very special calling: that of being Pope.”
“In my experience, I can say that the Lord has never left me alone.”
The invisible walls dividing our cities
Luigi, a 22-year-old from Sicily, asked about obedience to the Successor of Peter, especially when it feels difficult or when scandals emerge within the Church. How, he asked, can people remain within “this healing Love”?
Pope Leo XIV insisted that unity is close to the heart of Jesus. The Pope, who made unity the theme of his episcopal motto, described it as something “revolutionary.” Despite the Church’s failures and wounds, he said, such unity remains both possible and visible.
“Around Jesus, men and women who otherwise would never have met or spent time together become brothers and sisters. When this miracle of the Church continues to take place, thanks be to God, it remains astonishing even today in our cities, which are filled with invisible walls separating people from one another. How many forms of discrimination and inequality can end immediately once we recognize one another as brothers and sisters!”
Luigi listens to Pope Leo (@Vatican Media)
The power of Jesus does not humiliate, but lifts up
The Pope’s response turned the logic of the world on its head, echoing the words of the Magnificat.
True power, he explained, is measured not by a person’s ability to focus on themselves, but by their willingness to serve others with humility.
“Not grasping but receiving; not holding on, but giving back: this is the life of God, which heals the Church and makes her a free people, a place where people can breathe and find salvation.”
Jesus’ desire for the Church is clear, the Pope concluded: she must become His Body and reveal His life. This means following His example and exercising a different kind of strength-one that does not humiliate but lifts others up.
Pope to Iraqi youth: Be Christ's light and hope in a wounded world
Pope Leo XIV encourages young Iraqi Christians gathered in Ankawa to become missionaries of faith, love and hope, urging them to be Christ's light and peacemakers in a land marked by conflict and instability.
Vatican News
As young people from across Iraq gather in Ankawa, in the Archeparchy of Erbil, for their annual Youth Meeting from 8 to 11 July, Pope Leo XIV is encouraging them to embrace their vocation as missionaries of hope, urging them to become "Christ's light" in a country that continues to experience the consequences of war and instability.
In a video message to the gathering, dedicated this year to the theme Mission, the Pope reminds participants that they have an indispensable role in the life of the Church today.
"The Church has a vital mission to serve the world by sharing the light of Christ," he says, encouraging the young people to help "shape the Church — and the world — in the years to come."
Recalling a conviction he has expressed previously, Pope Leo emphasizes that "young people are not only the future of the Church, but also the present." And recognizing the difficult reality many Iraqi Christians continue to face, the Pope acknowledges that witnessing to the Gospel is often demanding.
"It is not always easy to be a light in the world," he says. "You are called to radiate this light in a situation that has often been marked by war and instability."
Do not be afraid
Even so, he urges them not to lose heart.
"Do not be afraid! And do not think that you are alone in this task. I am with you; the Church is with you. Place your trust in Jesus," Pope Leo says.
Using the image of light as the guiding thread of his reflection, he highlights three qualities that should shape every Christian disciple: faith, love and hope.
First, he explains, light enables us to see. Faith, therefore, is not simply a response to life's hardships but "the recognition of reality and living in the truth," allowing believers to see the world, others and themselves through God's eyes. He encourages the young people to bear witness through the way they live so that others, too, may discover the truth and meaning they seek.
The Pope then reflects on light as warmth, a sign of God's love. Authentic mission, he says, begins not with activity but with a personal encounter with Christ nurtured through daily prayer and the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Ground your roots in God's love
"Ground your hearts in the solid foundation of God's love for you," he urges. "Discover the heart of Christ, and do not be afraid to build your lives upon him."
Only by remaining rooted in that love, he explains, will they be able to share "the warmth of God's love and the reconciling power of his grace" with those around them.
Finally, Pope Leo XIV presents light as a symbol of growth and hope. In a region longing for reconciliation, he says, young Christians are called to become builders of peace.
"You are particularly called to be peacemakers, to unite those around you, and to instil in others the hope of a future marked by lasting peace."
Although they cannot always control the circumstances in which they live, he reminds them, they can always choose to allow "the peace of Christ to rule" in their hearts, becoming signs of the hope that comes from the Risen Lord.
Concluding his message, Pope Leo entrusts the young people to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of the Church, encouraging them to trust in God's loving plan for their lives.
"Never doubt the goodness of God," he says. "Do not be afraid of the plan the Lord has for each of your lives," recalling the promise of the prophet Jeremiah that God desires "to give you a future with hope."
Pope: Technology should serve friendships, not replace them
During a visit to the Vatican's summer camp for children of employees, Pope Leo XIV encourages children to use technology responsibly.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican's Estate Ragazzi summer camp on Monday, meeting with children and young people taking part in this year's programme and answering several questions.
The theme is focused on Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days."
Human relationships come first
Responding to a question about the difficulty of disconnecting from screens during the school year, Pope Leo acknowledged the benefits of technology but stressed that it should not take the place of real human interaction.
"Technology can be very good and very useful for many things," he said. "However, when we are together, it is not necessary to have a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet in our hands at every moment."
The Pope encouraged the children to spend time together as people rather than through devices.
"It is very important to build friendships, to spend time together, to play together, and perhaps even to study together," he said. "We are human beings, persons, and contact with others is extremely important."
He extended the reflection to family life, noting that "when a family is together, it is not enough for everyone to sit there looking at their own phone," he said. "It is very important to learn how to talk, to have conversations, and to enjoy one another's company."
The Pope also highlighted the importance of prayer, reminding the children that "even if we can have the Bible and prayers on our phones, God does not want to look at our phones," adding that "God wants to look at our hearts and at our lives."
Recognizing digital dependence
Speaking particularly to the older children, Pope Leo warned that many applications are deliberately designed to keep users engaged for long periods of time.
"They try to make us dependent on this technology," he said. He suggested setting practical limits on screen use, such as putting phones away at certain times of the day and making space for conversation and family activities.
"We are not all plugged into a cable," he noted. "We are human beings."
The Pope then encouraged the children to develop both their human and spiritual lives by cultivating relationships, seeking God in prayer, and avoiding forms of dependence that can limit their freedom.
Learning to think for ourselves
Another young participant then asked the Pope about his experiences traveling around the world.
Drawing on his own travels, Pope Leo recalled several occasions when GPS navigation systems led him in the wrong direction. "In Italy, in other European countries, in Peru, and once even in the United States, I followed the GPS, and it took me down the wrong road," he said.
The Pope explained that "it is much better to learn to think for ourselves and to develop the critical ability to know where we are going in life."
He then encouraged the children to make full use of the abilities God has given them rather than relying entirely on technology.
"I do not need my phone if my brain is working," he said, adding that preparation and good judgment help people navigate difficulties and find solutions when unexpected problems arise.
Prayer with the Pope
At the end of the encounter, Pope Leo XIV was named "Chief Explorer" of the summer camp and was presented with an explorer's kit and a commemorative plaque.
He invited the children to pray with him and encouraged them to tell their parents that they had prayed together with the Pope. "Prayer is very important for us," he concluded. "We want Jesus to be here with us."
