Pope Francis brought a message of hope and love to young people

Pope Francis walks with young people from around the world during World Youth Day in 2016 in Krakow, Poland. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

By John Shaughnessy

As the coordinator of young adult ministry for the archdiocese, Rachel Levy appreciates the influence that Pope Francis had on her generation and her own faith life.

“When I think of Pope Francis and his message to young adults around the world, the first word that comes to mind is hope,” Levy says. “Pope Francis has always emphasized remaining hopeful in all circumstances of life, especially in a time when despair is so prevalent in the lives of young people.”

Pope Francis was so committed to that message of hope that he made it the theme of this year’s Jubilee in the Church, calling Catholics around the world to be “pilgrims of hope.”

Levy first became aware of the pope’s emphasis on hope when he visited the United States in 2015.

“I had just started my freshman year of college, and some of my friends were making plans to travel to the cities he would be visiting,” she recalls.

“I wasn’t able to tag along, but I very specifically remember hearing about him cancelling plans to dine with politicians and instead sharing a meal with the homeless. It was encouraging to see that the leader of our Church was making an effort to live as Christ did in reaching out to the poor.

“I remember feeling a sense of hope that other members of the Church might follow his lead in reaching out to the marginalized and loving the poor in such a direct way.”

She also saw the impact that Pope Francis had on youths and young adults during World Youth Day in 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal—an event that brought millions of young people from around the world to be with the pope as he celebrated Mass with them.

During that World Youth Day, Pope Francis told the young people, “Nothing is free in life, everything has to be paid for. Only one thing is free: the love of Jesus! So, with this free gift that we have—the love of Jesus—and with the desire to carry on the journey, let us walk in hope, let us be mindful of our roots, and move forwards, without fear. Do not be afraid.”

The pope’s words left an impact on Levy.

“He encouraged all of the youths and young adults gathered in Lisbon to ‘shine, listen, and be not afraid!’ ” she recalls about that time when she began serving the archdiocese’s young people.

“Be not afraid is a message that the young Church especially needs to hear today in a society where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to embrace living out the Catholic faith in the midst of the world.” †

 

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