‘Who Told You It Was Too Late?’ Pope Leo Calls Young People to Holiness

Buenos Aires, November 11, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has called on young people to remain steadfast in their faith, resist the attractions of modern-day distractions and recognise that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Addressing around one million young people at a prayer vigil in Buenos Aires on November 10, the Pope encouraged them to return to Christ and embrace the call to holiness, regardless of their past struggles or failures.

Reflecting on the biblical account of the three young men who refused to worship an idol and were cast into a fiery furnace in Babylon, Pope Leo highlighted their courage in remaining faithful to God despite the threat of punishment. Their decision, he explained, demonstrated the freedom that comes from placing one's trust entirely in God rather than yielding to external pressures.

Drawing parallels with contemporary society, the Pope cautioned young people against becoming enslaved by pornography, addictive substances and other influences that undermine human dignity. He identified the pursuit of success at any cost, wealth, physical appearance, popularity and uncontrolled pleasure as modern-day idols that can gradually distance people from God.

He urged the young people not to surrender their freedom to anything that cannot offer lasting fulfilment, reminding them that even those who have stumbled can find the strength to begin again.

Emphasising the importance of a personal relationship with Christ, Pope Leo spoke about the possibility of returning to the Church even after a prolonged absence from prayer or a period of personal difficulty. He assured young people that their past mistakes do not determine their future, stressing that Christ continues to welcome and love everyone.

Recalling the testimony of one of the young participants, the Pope highlighted the question that had prompted a change in the person's life: “Who told you that it was too late?”

He used this question to underline that God's invitation remains open to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. No personal failure, he indicated, is beyond the healing and restoring power of Christ.

The Pope further reflected on the prayer of the three young men in the furnace, who acknowledged their need for God's mercy even as they remained firm in their faith. Their humility, he explained, demonstrated that Christian courage is not about claiming perfection but recognising one's weaknesses and turning towards God.

He also distinguished between Christ's unconditional love and the transformation that this love brings about in a person's life. While Christ accepts people as they are, His love also seeks to free them from sin and everything that prevents them from loving fully.

Calling young people to become saints, Pope Leo encouraged them to allow God's grace to work through their imperfections and everyday experiences.

“The Lord gives us so many opportunities to be like Him,” he said. “May your lives become pages of the Gospel, written in the ink of mercy, so that those who meet you may recognize in you something of the love and joy of Jesus.”

During the vigil, the Pope also responded to questions raised by young people about personal limitations, frustration and the meaning of work.

Addressing the challenge of overcoming personal struggles, he referred to a well-known saying of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Act as if everything depended on you, knowing that in reality everything depends on God.”

On the subject of work, Pope Leo drew attention to the years Jesus spent working as a carpenter before beginning His public ministry. He encouraged young people to recognise the spiritual value of ordinary responsibilities, including studying, working and spending time with friends.

“When you work, study, or spend time with your friends, do so with love and offer it to the Lord,” he said. “In this way, your work too becomes prayer and a path to holiness.”

Through his message, Pope Leo invited the younger generation to discover holiness not as something distant or reserved for a select few, but as a calling that can be lived through faithfulness, love, service and the choices made each day.

Courtesy: Vatican News