Pope Leo’s video message for the halleluya festival 2026
[Fortaleza (Brazil), July 22-26, 2026]
“Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away; he gives everything”
Pope Leo’s video message
Dear young people,
I am delighted to participate in the Halleluya Festival 2026, even if only virtually.
Year after year, this initiative has touched the hearts of countless people through music, praise, and adoration.
It has borne good fruits of evangelization, including confessions, conversions, and priestly and religious vocations.
Today, I would like to reiterate how wonderful it is to be with young people.
Your enthusiasm is contagious and awakens a renewed apostolic zeal in all of us.
During my recent travels, especially at the Jubilee of Young People, I saw that each one of you has the strength necessary to transform this world, which so desperately needs the Gospel. Never lose your missionary zeal!
The Lord expects this fervor from all who are baptized when they proclaim the Good News. Many people still need to know that Jesus responds to their deepest longings and reveals the truth about humanity.
Therefore, proclaim with courage that life without Christ is life without grace!
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).
He gives meaning to existence and to all things.
This is the faith that moves us, and it is worth sharing with our loved ones and those who need it most.
However, it is possible that the enthusiasm experienced during the festival will fade over time.
To keep the flame of faith burning and share the Resurrection with our friends and the people we meet, we must remain in God’s presence through prayer.
Pope Benedict’s first homily : St. Peter’s Square Sunday, 24 April 2005
. . . . Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away; he gives everything.
When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return.
Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.
Those who entrust themselves to the Savior receive a hundredfold:(Mark 10:29-30: Jesu said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life).
In sport, we see the joy of those who win, but also the sadness of those who lose.
With Christ, we always win.
(Romans 8:37 – in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.)!
The saints bear witness to this.
Let us be inspired by St. Carlo Acutis’s example.
He shows us how to keep Christ at the center of our lives, even when using technology. Following his example, I advise you to use social networks and artificial intelligence wisely.
Use these tools moderately and with discipline, because they can immerse us in an unreal world where brevity, mere appearance, and deception replace true values and what really matters.
Dear young people,
Let the Holy Spirit rekindle your love, transforming your youth into an evangelizing force.
This will make each one of you a living stone in the construction of the “city of peace” we desire.
As St. Augustine said, this is the city of God present in the city of men.
As you face trials, may God strengthen you and help you to faithfully live the call to holiness.
I impart my apostolic blessing to all participants and organizers of the Halleluya Festival.
May God be with you always!