Pope Leo XIV Receives Unified Young Life and Catholic Leaders
Every day in our fractured world, political, social, and religious divides steal the headlines, as people draw up their battle lines and demonize those they oppose. Like it or not, conflict, it seems, is in vogue.
These realities make what happened this September in Rome all the more “historic,” “unforgettable,” and even “landmark” in nature.
Exaggeration?
Absolutely not! For in this world of discord, unity took center stage as 85 men and women from around the world attended Incontro, a gathering hosted by Young Life Catholic Engagement. The word “incontro” (Italian for “encounter”) is appropriate, because during this time the group encountered:
- Brothers and sisters with diverse backgrounds but similar hearts for unreached adolescents;
- Like-minded methodologies on sharing the gospel; and
- A palpable Kingdom unity amongst all the Catholics and Protestants present.
And, of course, one of the most poignant encounters occurred in St. Peter’s Square as the group met with Pope Leo XIV, who received the delegation with warmth and a desire to learn more about Young Life and our mission to adolescents around the world. (More on this significant moment below.)
Coming Together for Kids
At the end of his earthly life, Jesus prayed that all believers would be one. He prayed to his Father, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23).
That’s why the goal of the Incontro was to unite (voice, tradition, and incarnational methodology) and strengthen (the bond between Young Life and local ecclesial communities), so every group present might better reach adolescents.
“What an opportunity this is for us! Young Life staff and leaders from across Europe joining together with Catholic clergy, priests, deacons, bishops, religious sisters, lay leaders, and followers of Jesus seeking unity in the Lord’s mission, all passionate about the souls of our young people, gathering with the hope of inspiring a generation of Catholics and Young Life leaders to work together in friendship, unity, and mission.”
– Bishop John Keenan (Diocese of Paisley (UK).
“What an opportunity this is for us!” said Bishop John Keenan (Diocese of Paisley (UK). “Young Life staff and leaders from across Europe joining together with Catholic clergy, priests, deacons, bishops, religious sisters, lay leaders, and followers of Jesus seeking unity in the Lord’s mission, all passionate about the souls of our young people, gathering with the hope of inspiring a generation of Catholics and Young Life leaders to work together in friendship, unity, and mission.”
The time was all this and more, said Young Life’s director of Missional Core, Mike Cramer. “The word I’ve been using to describe our time together is ‘monumental.’ As we walked the streets of Rome, the Lord fostered deep conversations about life, faith, and ministry for all of us. The unity in calling and purpose was contagious, fostering deep friendship and connection. I look forward to the opportunities that will arise from this time to work together to reach young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The Theology of Wasting Time!
Bishop John discovered Young Life through Cairn Brae, our camp in Scotland. He also supports Generation Hope, a key ministry partner that has used the camp for the last five years. Not surprisingly, Bishop John’s methods of reaching adolescents are the same as Young Life’s.
“I remember when I was appointed as chaplain at the University of Glasgow, a wise former chaplain advised me that my role was about ‘wasting time with students.’ I soon understood what he meant. It was about spending time with the students where they were, forming friendships with them, socializing with them, going on holidays, retreats, and pilgrimages.
“The more I learned about Young Life, the more I saw that I had been using its method in chaplaincy most of the time. It made me think of the strange words of Jesus as he sent out the 72. They were to go through all the towns and villages, but they were not to move from house to house (Luke 10:7). I began to see what he meant. Relationships take time and do not always go smoothly, but evangelization does not mean being in a hurry. It often means the slow but sure approach of wasting time to form solid friendships. It is these friendships, built up over time, that then produce 30, then 60, then one hundredfold (Mark 4:10).”
Another kindred spirit there was Monsignor Juan Usma Gómez, Head of the Western Section of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. (The “western section,” incidentally, means he oversees the work in Africa, Europe, and the Americas!) While explaining his own mission to unify the Body of Christ, Monsignor Gomez shared, “We love Young Life because you are doing what we’re trying to do theologically. You’re doing it in the mission field with young people, who in turn will take over the future and make it better for all of us.” (paraphrase)
The shared desire to walk side by side in relational ministry encouraged all involved. There was one more person, however, who also responded to what he was hearing …
An Historic Encounter
The defining moment of Incontro was the official reception of Young Life by Pope Leo, who expressed delight and encouragement for Young Life’s mission among young people globally.
The delegation presented Pope Leo with a special dossier containing 100 personal letters and prayers written by Catholic Young Life students, staff, and clergy from around the world.
Bishop Keenan, following his brief audience with the Pope, told Deacon Nathan Gunn, the senior director of Young Life Catholic Engagement, “I spent my entire time talking to Pope Leo about you and Young Life, and he’s so excited. He’s particularly excited that you’re ecumenical and can’t wait to learn more and follow up.”
Yousef Khalil meeting Pope Leo
Following his introduction to the Pope, Yousef Khalil, Young Life regional director of the Jordan River Region, shared about the mission’s growing work in the Holy Land, a place that Jews, Muslims, Arab Christians, and Messianic Jews all call home. Life is complex but with new work beginning in places from the Mediterranean coastal city of Haifa to beyond the Jordan River, the ministry of Young Life is established, thriving, and growing.
Pope Leo was clearly interested in the mission to kids in the Holy Land, and has consistently been a strong advocate of adolescent ministry. Last year, while addressing young people at the 40th World Youth Day, he spoke of the need for them to model unity:
“Do not follow those who use the words of faith to divide; instead, make plans to remove inequalities and reconcile divided and oppressed communities. Let us listen to the voice of God within us and overcome our selfishness, becoming active artisans of peace.”
The transformative three-day gathering concluded with the delegation gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for a solemn Holy Hour of Adoration, praying in thanksgiving for renewed unity and future collaboration in youth evangelization. In many regards, this final hour of unified prayer ended up having the most profound effect on everyone involved. Time with Jesus and friends always changes us.
It’s challenging to put into words everything that September’s Incontro meant to the men and women in attendance, but Deacon Nathan summarized:
“To pray together and worship together and learn together and eat and drink together felt like the culmination of something that’s been building and swelling in our mission for decades. This was not an event. It was not a conference. It was the culmination of the hand of God doing something special between Young Life and the Catholic Church. We’re walking together in a whole new way, and we’re going to reach a whole lot of kids together.”
