Pope Leo XIV to Meet Youth in Assisi on August 6
Pope Leo XIV will visit Assisi on August 6 to meet thousands of young Europeans, encouraging them to dream boldly and embrace a life filled with faith, purpose, and service in the spirit of Saint Francis. This pastoral…
Pope Leo XIV will visit Assisi on August 6 to meet thousands of young Europeans, encouraging them to dream boldly and embrace a life filled with faith, purpose, and service in the spirit of Saint Francis. This pastoral visit will conclude four days of encounters, workshops, and opportunities for sharing among the youth.
During his visit, the Pope is expected to answer questions from the young participants and preside over a Mass, drawing parallels to his previous encouragement to live beyond mediocrity during the Jubilee of Youth at Tor Vergata. Many attendees often express a lack of strong desires and have ceased dreaming about their futures, as noted by Friar Luca de Pasquale, one of the organizers of the "GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting."
The Pope will arrive early at 8:30 AM at Saint Mary of the Angels, where he will spend a moment in personal prayer at the Porziuncola chapel, a site closely tied to the legacy of Saint Francis. Following his prayer, he will interact with three young individuals representing different regions of Europe, each posing questions on distinct topics before addressing the assembled crowd, who will not be able to enter the Basilica due to capacity limits. Afterward, he will meet privately with Franciscan families before presiding over Mass around 10:00 or 10:30 AM, coinciding with the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Many young people will gather in Assisi: participants of the "GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting"; attendees of the 44th Franciscan March arriving for the Pardon of Assisi; and those coming specifically for Mass with Pope Leo XIV. This gathering resembles a Franciscan World Youth Day, merging experiences from the ongoing "GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting" and the 44th Franciscan March, culminating in the presentation of a “missionary charter” to participants after their time with the Pope. This charter will synthesize discussions from various workshops focusing on themes of peace, forgiveness, and vocation over the previous days.
Friar Luca emphasized that encountering the Pope will be pivotal for the youth, expressing hope that he can address their experiences directly.
