Pope to young people: We are all pilgrims and we are always pilgrims
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday welcomed young pilgrims and their teachers from Northern Europe to the Vatican, encouraging them to see their journey not just as a destination but as a deeper call to faith and discipleship.
The pilgrims, who had travelled from Denmark, Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland, were received as part of their visit to Rome for the Jubilee Year. Among them were young people from the Diocese of Copenhagen and a number of educators from across the British Isles.
Thanking them for making the journey, Pope Leo XIV told the group, “You are following in the footsteps of countless pilgrims from your various countries, who for centuries have been making this same pilgrimage to the Eternal City.”
Rome: A sacred destination
The Pope highlighted the spiritual significance of Rome, calling it a city deeply rooted in the Christian faith. “It is the city where Saints Peter and Paul gave their lives in witness to the Gospel,” he said, “and where pilgrims continue to draw strength and inspiration.”
He urged the visitors to reflect deeply during their time in the city, adding: “By visiting the various holy sites, may you draw inspiration and hope from the profound example of how the saints and martyrs imitated Christ.”
The meaning of pilgrimage
Pope Leo went on to reflect on the spiritual nature of pilgrimage itself, calling it “time and space for encountering God more deeply,” away from the distractions of everyday life.
Such moments, he explained, allow for transformation: “These experiences enable the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts more closely to that of Christ.”
A message to young people
Speaking directly to the youth in the audience, Pope Leo offered words of encouragement and purpose: “God has created each one of you with a purpose and mission.”
He invited them to use the pilgrimage as a time of reflection and spiritual openness. “Hear more clearly God’s voice calling you deep within your hearts,” he urged. “Let this pilgrimage be a journey of prayer and discernment.”
To their teachers and mentors
Turning to the educators, Pope Leo praised their vital role in shaping the next generation of believers. “Children will look up to you as models of faith, particularly in how you teach and live,” he said.
He called on them to deepen their own spiritual lives: “Cultivate your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic teaching.”
Pilgrimage as an ongoing journey
In his concluding remarks, the Pope reminded the group that their spiritual journey does not end in Rome.
“A pilgrimage does not end but shifts its focus to the daily ‘pilgrimage of discipleship’,” he said. He acknowledged that the road of faith is not without its challenges, but offered words of reassurance: “The journey is sustained by God’s mercy, the witness of the saints, and the support of others.”
With heartfelt encouragement, Pope Leo XIV sent the pilgrims forth, urging them to carry the grace of their pilgrimage into the rhythms of their daily lives.
