On November 23, the XL (40th) World Youth Day (WYD) will take place in the dioceses, following the Jubilee of Youth that took place in Rome this summer. In its Messagedated October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Pope recalled that "it is not always easy to bear witness. And that sometimes there is "rejection" and even "violent opposition". But the Christian attitude is this: 'love your enemies, pray for your persecutors' (Mt 5:44)".
"This is what the martyrs have done since the beginning of the Church," the Pope wrote, commenting on the motto of this WYD, which is "You also bear witness, because you are with me (Jn 15:27)."
Pursuit: is not a story of the past
Similar to what they did with Jesus - "if they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also" (Jn 15:20)-is also happening now. "This is not a story of the past," the Pope points out. "Still today, in many places in the world, Christians and people of good will suffer because of persecution, lies and violence."
And the temptation to "react instinctively, putting themselves on the level of those who have rejected them, adopting aggressive attitudes," is there, recalls Leo XIV. However, "let us remember the wise counsel of St. Paul: 'Do not be overcome by evil. On the contrary, overcome evil by doing good' (Rm 12,21).
"Therefore, do not be discouraged, like the saints, you too are called to persevere with hope, especially in the face of difficulties and obstacles," Pope Leo encouraged.
Where to draw strength from, until WYD Seoul 2027
And to achieve this perseverance, the Pope alluded to the power of the Holy Spirit and friendship with Jesus. "With the power of the Holy Spirit, as pilgrims of hope, we prepare ourselves to become courageous witnesses of Christ. Let us begin, then, from now on, a journey that will lead us to the international edition of WYD in Seoul in 2027."
Be with Him as friends, not as party 'activists'.
"Our friendship with Jesus, which we receive from God as a gift," is the key.
Jesus "does not want us as servants, nor as 'activists' of a party; he calls us to be with him as friends, so that our life may be renewed. And witness arises spontaneously from the joyful newness of this friendship". That is the foundation, the Pope explains.
Christian witness is born of friendship with the Lord, crucified and risen for the salvation of all, he said.
"This should not be confused with ideological propaganda, but is a true principle of inner transformation and social awareness."
Jesus wanted to call the disciples "friends", adds the Pontificie, "to whom he made known the Kingdom of God and asked them to remain with him in order to form his community and send them out to proclaim the Gospel (cf. Jn 15,15.27)"
How is God's friendship
So when Jesus tells us: "Bear witness," he is assuring us that he considers us his friends. "He alone knows fully who we are and why we are here: he knows the heart of each of you young people, your indignation in the face of discrimination and injustice, your desire for truth and beauty, for joy and peace; with his friendship he listens to you, motivates you and guides you, calling each one to a new life."
"It is a unique friendship, which gives us communion with God," the Pope emphasizes. "A faithful friendship, which makes us discover our dignity and that of others. An eternal friendship, which not even death can destroy, because it has its beginning in the Risen Crucified One."
"We are never alone."
In conclusion, Leo XIV invited us to fix "our gaze on Jesus. While he was dying on the cross, he entrusted the Virgin Mary as mother to John, and to her John as son. This ultimate gift of love is for every disciple, for all of us. I invite you, therefore, to embrace this holy bond with Mary, Mother full of affection and understanding, cultivating it especially with the prayer of the Rosary".
"Thus, in every situation of life, we will experience that we are never alone, but that we are always children loved, forgiven and encouraged by God. Bear witness to all this with joy!" the Pope concluded.
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