“Your Strength can Change the World”

“There are many young people, believers and non-believers who, when they have finished studying, show a desire to help others, to do something for those who are suffering.  This is the strength of young people, the strength of all of you, the strength that can change the world”.

This is what Pope Francis says in his video message to young people in preparation for the XXXIV World Youth Day in 2019 to be held in Panama from 22nd to 27th January on the theme: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1,38)

Released yesterday, on the day of celebration of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father’s message concludes a cycle of three Marian messages dedicated to young people along their journey from WYD 2016 to WYD 2019.  For the first time,  it  has been published  principally in the form of a video message with the objective, we read in the communication issued yesterday by the Holy See Press Office, of “reaching the greatest number of young people possible and respond to their desire, expressed during the recent synodal process, to communicate with the Church through forms closer to their own language”. 

In his address, the Holy Father addresses all the young people in the world encouraging them to discover the characteristic values of youth.  It recognizes their willingness to serve others and he invites them to put this attitude into practice from a Christian perspective: “To be at the service of others does not only mean to be ready for action. It also means to be in conversation with God, in an attitude of listening, just like Mary.  She listened to what the Angel said and then she replied”.