In a message to a gathering of youth ministers in Paraguay (Dated: 19 July 2024),
Pope Francis calls on young believers to let themselves be transformed by Christ,
and to live their youth as a gift to Jesus and to the world.
Pope Francis expressed his joy at welcoming the participants
and underlined the value of youth ministry for the Church,
as he invited young people to let Christ use their energy to do great things..
This was the encouragement Pope Francis sent to the xxi Latam Meeting of Caribbean and Latin American
National Youth Ministry Leaders, gathered in Asunción, Paraguay, from 15 to 20 July 2024.
“Jesus’ command to arise is both a task and a responsibility”.
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Let Christ transform your natural optimism into authentic love;
a love that knows how to sacrifice,
that is sincere, real and genuine,
so that your youth may be a gift to Jesus and to the world
and you will be able to live your life in a worthy and fruitful way.
Do not be afraid of the Lord who passes by us and whispers in our ear,
who bends down to us and offers us his hand to lift us up every time we fall,
Jesus wants us to be on our feet and resurrected,
and that we shouldn’t be afraid to let Him into our lives”.
Open wide the doors of your heart to Him
to do so for the new life that comes from Him,
which is without comparison and worth living!
May the Blessed Virgin, Mary, accompany your steps and intercede for you with a mother’s love,
so that, together with children, adults and the elderly, in an intergenerational communion,
you may be protagonists of a Church that is ever more synodal, disciple-making and missionary”.
I thank the young Paraguayans, who have worked with particular dedication
for making this meeting possible..
Live your days together in grateful faith and
Continue to prepare yourselves during this year of prayer
to celebrate the next Jubilee 2025 with joyful hope.