Pope Leo XIV: Youth is the presence of the Church!” – Excitement in Indy!

Pope Leo XIV: Youth is the presence of the Church!” – Excitement in Indy!

On November 21, 2025, the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where Pope Leo XIV made a live online appearance in front of over 16,000 youth. The event was moderated by Katie Prejan McGrady and included questions posed by several young Catholics. In his address, the Pope gave the participants important advice for their lives and faith.

The Pope encouraged the young people to actively participate in their community activities and to make their talents available to the Church. He particularly praised Americans for coming together and covered topics such as the role of technology in faith. Leo XIV emphasized that technology cannot replace interpersonal relationships and appealed to young people to cultivate real interaction. “Like handshakes, hugs, smiles, none of that can be replaced by technology,” he explained.

Technology and Faith

A key point in Leo's talk was the relationship between technology and faith. He emphasized that artificial intelligence cannot provide real wisdom and does not have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. The pope pointed out that technology should support people's lives, not dominate them. In this context, he emphasized the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus: "Sins never have the last word; God always forgives when we ask for mercy," said Leo XIV.

The youth were also encouraged to turn their worries over to Jesus and focus on their relationship with him. The Pope encouraged them to dream big and work for something bigger. He emphasized that real friends can help us grow closer to Jesus and support each other in difficult times. "We must focus on what matters; Jesus will always protect and guide the church," he said.

Meaningful messages to the youth

The pope also spoke about the challenges facing young people, particularly regarding mental health and the importance of seeking support from trusted adults. “Worries should be given up, and distractions in prayer are normal, but one should refocus on Jesus,” said Leo XIV.

In his address, he pointed out that the Church does not belong to any political party and that young people are not only the future but also the present of the Church. His message was clear: “We must build bridges and not walls.” The event, which was broadcast live in many countries, was well received by young people, who responded with applause and chants of “We love Leo”.

The personal touch was provided by Leo These things made the Pope more relatable to the young people and created a connection that went beyond his messages.

Overall, Pope Leo

For more information about the event and the Pope's full statements, visit oe24, Vatican News or Catholic News Agency.