León XIV met this Friday, October 31, 2025, with the members of the International Youth Advisory Body (IYAB), an organization linked to the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The meeting, held in the Hall of the Popes at the Vatican, focused on three fundamental axes of the pontificate: participation, synodality, and mission.
The Holy Father thanked the young people for their commitment during these days of work and discernment, recognizing their contribution to the reflection on the role of new generations within the Church. “You have been invited to be part of the Council to offer the perspective of young people on issues that are at the heart of the Church’s mission,” the Pontiff affirmed.
“Participation arises from the heart of Christ”
In his speech, León XIV emphasized that ecclesial participation is not based on ideologies or structures of power, but on closeness to the heart of Christ: “Authentic ecclesial participation arises from being close to the Heart of Christ. Its origin is spiritual, not ideological or political.”
The Pope recalled that Jesus, before his Passion, prayed for the unity of all believers (cf. Jn 17, 20-21), and explained that true communion is built in prayer, the sacraments, and service. “Those who are friends of Jesus begin to feel what He feels. Nothing is foreign to them, nor is anyone indifferent to them,” he affirmed.
Synodality: walking together listening to the Spirit
The second point of the speech was synodality, which the Pope defined as “a way of living the communion of the Church,” inspired by the Trinity. “The synodal Church is a communion of people who walk together, enriching one another with their gifts and sharing their charisms.”
The Pontiff invited the young people to be active protagonists in this experience of listening and discernment. “We want to hear what the Holy Spirit says to young people, welcome their charisms, their sensitivities, and their gifts,” he affirmed. He also encouraged them not to isolate themselves in virtual or superficial experiences, warning about the risks of a “disembodied” faith in the digital age.
“The synodal Church —said León XIV— is a space where young people can find community, learn to live their faith with others, and offer the world the witness of a concrete love.”
Mission: making space for the action of the Holy Spirit
In the third part of the speech, the Pope insisted that all authentic synodality leads to the mission. “The action of the Holy Spirit is at the heart of synodality. It is not about rules or meetings, but about making space for the action of God by listening to the Spirit,” he noted.
The Holy Father explained that the mission requires openness of heart and courage to go out to meet others. “Have open hearts to listen to the inspirations of the Spirit and the aspirations of each person. Look beyond appearances and seek the true answers that give meaning to life.”
“The Church needs brave and creative young people”
Pope León XIV concluded by thanking the Youth Council for their work and encouraging them to be an impetus for renewal for the Church. “Your contribution will bring new energy to the missionary heart of the Church. You are part of that spiritual movement that keeps the Church always young,” he said.
Finally, he encouraged them to live their faith with joy and witness: “Your voice is heard and taken seriously. May the Holy Spirit guide you, enlighten you, and strengthen you in the joy of Christian witness.”
Full speech of Pope León XIV to the members of the International Youth Advisory Council (IYAB):
Hall of the Popes, October 31, 2025
Dear young people, good morning and welcome!
You have been invited to be part of the International Youth Advisory Council, linked to the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. This body seeks to offer the Holy See the perspective of young people on various topics that are at the heart of the Church’s mission. I thank you for your willingness and the effort of these days of dialogue and discernment, with the aim of contributing your reflections to my collaborators in the Roman Curia. I want to share with you three brief reflections on participation, synodality, and mission.
Participation
To carry out your task, you are called, first of all, to recognize that you participate in the life and mission of the Church. As you know, it is a universal mission, directed to men and women of all cultures and social situations. Authentic ecclesial participation springs from the Heart of Christ: its origin is spiritual, not ideological or political.
Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed to the Father saying: “I do not pray for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one” (Jn 17, 20-21). Jesus does not limit himself to the small circle of his disciples; he looks beyond, toward all peoples and generations. He desires that all be receptive to the message of salvation and discover in it the unity of faith and mutual love. The Lord carries the whole world in his heart, and therein lies the source of participation.
Those who approach Jesus and become his friends through prayer, the sacraments, and daily life begin to feel what He feels. They carry the whole world in their hearts and nothing is foreign to them. They care about the sufferings and needs of others. From there arises the desire to participate in the universal mission of the Church. This participation is a sign of human and spiritual maturity.
Synodality
Synodality is one of the ways of living the nature of the Church as communion. In the image of the Most Holy Trinity, the Church is a communion of people of all ages, languages, and cultures who walk together, sharing their spiritual gifts. In the synodal Church, we want to listen to what the Spirit says to young people, welcome their charisms, and value their sensitivity.
You are also called to be the voice of your peers, especially the poor, the marginalized, and those who struggle to integrate into society or access education. All too often, the voices of the weak are lost amid the noise of the powerful and those who live in exclusive realities.
Synodality is also a challenge: it invites us not to live faith in isolation. Many young people today approach faith through social networks or online testimonies. But there is the risk of a “disembodied” faith, limited to individual experiences without true communion. Christian faith is lived in community and nourished by real relationships, encounter, and sharing. That is why the synodal Church encourages you to live faith together, to overcome barriers, and to make the problems and hopes of others your own.
Mission
Authentic synodality leads to mission. The action of the Holy Spirit is at its heart. It is not about rules or meetings, but about making space for the action of God by listening to the Spirit, who guides us to the truth (cf. Jn 16,13) and teaches us to welcome Jesus, the Truth itself. He reminds us of the words of the Lord and makes them present. The Spirit impels us to mission.
All this requires open hearts, willing to listen to the inspirations of the Spirit and the aspirations of each person. Do not let yourselves be trapped by personal plans or fear: God calls you to forge new paths. Be brave young people, leaders of creativity and hope.
I thank you for the contribution you will offer to the mission of the Church. Your organization is part of the great spiritual movement that includes World Youth Days and the new youth movements that keep the Church always young. Your presence and witness are a gift. May the Holy Spirit guide you and strengthen you in the joy of Christian witness.