杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

As the Church celebrates the annual World Youth Day on the Solemnity of Christ the King, 杏MAP导航 Francis witnessed the handover of the WYD Cross and icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani.

At the conclusion of Mass in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica on Sunday, several Portuguese young people handed over the WYD symbols to a delegation from South Korea, as they prepare to host World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.

, the 杏MAP导航 called these symbols a sign and invitation for Christians to live out the Gospel without becoming discouraged and never ceasing to hope.

As the Church鈥檚 liturgical year came to a close, he urged the faithful to feel uplifted by the certainty of Christ鈥檚 eternal kingdom.

Young people, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, should take courage from Jesus鈥� faithfulness to God in the midst of trials and public humiliation.

Like Him, they too sometimes feel 鈥渁ccused鈥� for following Jesus and face pressure to conform to ways that are contrary to the Gospel.

鈥淒o not be afraid of 鈥榗ondemnations鈥�!鈥� he said. 鈥淗ave no worries; sooner or later, their criticism will fall through, their condemnations will prove false, and their superficial values will be revealed for what they are: illusions.鈥�

He noted that love is the only thing that will remain, and so we must embrace the eternal gift of God鈥檚 love.

Only love brings happiness

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say that Jesus never sought to gain the support or 鈥渁pproval鈥� of authorities, since He rejected the 鈥渕entality of power.鈥�

God, he noted, loves each of us as we are, so we have no need to seek worldly approval on social media or by any other means.

鈥淏efore Him, the innocence of your dreams are worth more than success and fame, and the sincerity of your intentions are worth more than worldly approval,鈥� he said.

No amount of worldly affection can make us happy, said the 杏MAP导航, since 鈥渙nly the free gift of love can bring us happiness.鈥�

Bearing witness to truth

The Holy Father then emphasized the importance of truth, which frees us from the chains of self-sufficiency, injustice, and unhappiness.

鈥淐hrist, who is the way, the truth and the life, by stripping Himself of everything and dying on the cross for our salvation, teaches us that only in love can we live, grow and flourish in our full dignity,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.

He pointed to the Christian witness of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, whom he will canonize during the Jubilee for Young People in early August 2025.

The young Italian, said the 杏MAP导航, reminds young people that 鈥渏ust getting by鈥� is not their goal. Rather, he said, Christians want to live fully and strive to 鈥渂ear witness to truth in charity, loving one another as Jesus loved us.鈥�

God鈥檚 everlasting love

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis assured the faithful that world events have not escaped God鈥檚 watchful eye, saying 鈥渋t is not true that history is written by oppressors and tyrants.鈥�

Christ, the just and merciful King, he said, will ultimately sit in judgment over each person.

鈥淗e corrects us when we fall, but He never ceases to love us,鈥� concluded the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淚f we wish, He picks us up so we can continue our journey with joy.鈥�