Pope León XIV called on young people to be the "spark" of a new and more humane humanity during the closing of the Youth Jubilee [1].
The address serves as a call for the younger generation to actively reshape global society by acting as "seeds of hope" to foster a more compassionate world [2].
Reports regarding the event's scale vary. One source said more than 1 million young people attended the closing Mass [3], while other reports described the attendance as several hundred thousand [2].
The location of the gathering was also reported inconsistently. Some reports placed the event at the Plaza de Lima in Spain [1], while other accounts said the event took place in Rome [2].
During the proceedings, which included a closing Mass on Aug. 3, 2024 [3], the Pope focused on the potential of youth to drive systemic change. He said to the crowd, "Ustedes son la señal de que otro mundo es posible," meaning they are the sign that another world is possible [3].
He further emphasized the need to "construir un mundo más humano," or build a more humane world [2]. The Pope said that the youth are the primary agents for this transformation, urging them to move beyond passive observation to active participation in social renewal.
This message concluded a series of events designed to engage young Catholics in the Jubilee's mission of spiritual and social renewal [2].
“"Ustedes son la señal de que otro mundo es posible"”
The Pope's emphasis on youth as a catalyst for a 'more humane' world reflects a strategic effort by the Vatican to maintain relevance among younger generations. By framing the youth as the 'spark' for a new world, the papacy is attempting to pivot the church's image toward social activism and hope-based leadership in an era of global instability.
