Pope Leo XIV Urges Young People to Seek Truth Beyond Virtual Connections

Vatican City, January 11, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on young people in Rome to move beyond superficial and virtual relationships and to pursue truth, goodness and authentic communion rooted in their encounter with God and with one another.

The Pope received an enthusiastic welcome from thousands of young people of the Diocese of Rome when he arrived at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Saturday, 10 January, shortly after the conclusion of the Jubilee Year. Priests, religious and educators accompanied the gathering, which filled both the hall and its surrounding areas.

Addressing the crowd, Pope Leo shared a personal moment, recounting a recent message from his niece who asked how he copes with the many problems facing the world and whether he ever feels alone. Standing before the young people, he said, he found his answer in their presence.

The Pope acknowledged the hidden struggles many young people experience today, including loneliness, disorientation and boredom, even amid constant activity and social interaction. He warned that isolation can persist despite being surrounded by others, especially when people are overwhelmed by opinions and distracted by fragmented images.

Reflecting on human loneliness, Pope Leo referred to poetry by Salvatore Quasimodo, interpreting it through the lens of faith. He said the light that reaches the human heart is not fleeting, but enduring, identifying it with Christ, the Sun of justice, who warms hearts and ignites them with love.

According to the Pope, this encounter with Jesus gives individuals the strength to transform their own lives and society. He said the Gospel brings light into daily relationships, turning an anonymous and colourless world into one that is welcoming and truly human because it is inhabited by God.

While expressing joy at the commitment young people show in parishes, oratories and charitable works, Pope Leo cautioned them against seeking easy approval. He noted that witness aimed at building genuine friendships often receives less attention than advertising, which exists to promote consumption.

He encouraged young people to persevere with joy, reminding them that lasting change in society begins with personal conversion.

Responding to questions about overcoming the “chains” that restrict them, the Pope stressed the importance of prayer, describing it as a deeply real and transformative act. Prayer, he said, is a powerful expression of freedom that breaks the bonds of boredom, pride and indifference, enabling believers to become the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Pope Leo XIV Urges Young People to Seek Truth Beyond Virtual Connections

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