Pope encourages youth in Medjugorje to rediscover beauty of encountering the Lord

By Edoardo Giribaldi

The promises of easy and immediate happiness are attractive, but they often fade away without leaving a lasting mark. What remains are the deeper questions, the anxieties that dwell in the human heart, and the longing for a joy that endures. It is precisely from these vulnerabilities that an authentic journey of faith can begin through an encounter with God, "who quenches every heart and gives the strength to always begin anew."

This is the heart of the message that Pope Leo XIV, through a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, addressed to the young people from 73 countries gathered in Medjugorje for the opening of Mladifest, the international youth festival. Starting in 1989, the festival takes place annually. The Eucharistic celebration takes place at the outdoor altar of Saint James Parish.

Encountering the Lord who quenches every heart

The message was read by Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, the Apostolic Visitor with a special assignment for the Parish of Medjugorje, shortly before the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

In his message, the Pope encouraged young people to return ad fontem—to Christ, the source of new life and authentic joy. Through prayer, listening to the Word of God, and the sacraments, he invites them to rediscover "the beauty of a personal encounter with the Lord, who quenches every heart and gives the strength to always begin anew."

A moment during one of the previous Mladifest international youth festivals {"@context": "http://schema.org","@type": "ImageObject","contentUrl": "https://www.vaticannews.va/content/dam/vaticannews/multimedia/2026/agosto/01/mladifest-2.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.750.422.jpeg","creditText": "Vatican News","height": "750","width": "422"} Seeking the truth that sets us free

The Pope also encourages young people to seek sincerely "the truth that sets them free," without allowing themselves to be deceived by "the illusions of a passing happiness." In following Jesus, he said, everyone can embrace even the most difficult questions and the anxieties of the heart as opportunities for discernment and growth in faith.

Trusting in the Holy Spirit and Mary

The message concludes with an exhortation to allow themselves to be "led by the Holy Spirit" and to entrust themselves to the intercession of Mary, so that they may become "shining witnesses of the Gospel, promoters of fraternity, and builders of peace in society."