“You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world” – Pope  to youth at jubilee opening

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV , has reminded the youth of their identity and mission in today’s world. Describing them as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

The Pope said this at St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening as he welcomed thousands of youth to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, marking the official start of the Church’s Jubilee of Hope celebrations.

After a Mass celebrated by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Pope made his way around the square in the popemobile, warmly greeting the young pilgrims who had gathered in anticipation.

“You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world! And today your voices, your enthusiasm, your cries, all of them for Jesus Christ, will be heard to the ends of the earth,” he said.

He described the Jubilee as a spiritual journey and a call to action. “Today marks the beginning of a few days, a journey, the Jubilee of Hope, and the world needs messages of hope. You are that message, and you must continue bringing hope to everyone.”

Encouraging the youth to be witnesses of faith and peace, Pope Leo noted that, “We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope in the world. Today we are at the beginning. In the coming days, you will have the opportunity to be a force that brings God’s grace, a message of hope, a light to the city of Rome, to Italy, and to the entire world.”

Calling for a united cry for peace, he invited the crowd saying, “Let us walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ. And our cry must also be for peace in the world. Let us all say together: We want peace in the world! Let us pray for peace.”

“Let us pray for peace,” the Pope continued, “and let us be witnesses of the peace of Jesus Christ, of reconciliation this light of the world that we are all seeking,” he added.