Pope Leo’s address at Prayer Vigil with Young People and University Students
National Stadium of Peru (Lima)- Thursday, 12 November 2026
What are you looking for? What do you hope to find? What do you hope for in life?
Someone told me that Peru needs a sign of hope.
Well, you are that sign of hope today at the National Stadium.
I am grateful for Cardinal Castillo’s words, the young people’s questions and the sincerity with which Joao, Emily and Sister Luzbinda opened their hearts to us.
Their sharing gives me an opportunity to reflect with you on a scene from the Gospel of Saint John.
One day, John the Baptist was standing with two of his own disciples when he saw Jesus passing by. Pointing to Jesus, John said: “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36).
When the two disciples heard this, they began to follow Jesus.
Realizing this, Jesus looked at them and asked: “What are you looking for?” (v. 38).
What a beautiful question!
These are the first words spoken by Jesus in this Gospel.
I would like each of you to hear that question as though Jesus was asking you today. “What are you looking for?” What do you hope to find? What do you hope for in life?
Don’t rush to answer. Some questions linger with us for a long time.
Think about what excites you, the people you love, and the dreams you’re willing to fight for. Also think about your concerns, the things that keep you up at night and what you would like to change.
Jesus is interested in all these things because he is interested in you.
There is a word that can help us understand this search: passion.
We use it to describe what we love deeply, what excites us, and what motivates us to do our best.
However, the word also reminds us of suffering and experiences that seem to extinguish our desire to persevere.
Some young people feel lonely, even when they are surrounded by others. Others carry the pain of a loss or uncertainty about their future.
Sometimes, we ask ourselves why God allows certain things to happen, or why he seems silent when we need him most.
Let us recall how John the Baptist introduced Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God!”
At the time, the disciples could not understand the meaning of that name.
Later, in light of the Lord’s Passion, they discovered its meaning.
Jesus gave his life on the cross. He experienced anguish and darkness, too.
From the cross he cried out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Despite his suffering, Christ continued to love.
He did not want the cross; he wanted our salvation.
Out of love for us, he accepted the cross and endured it until the end.
Thus, through his self-sacrifice, the cross became the place where his passionate love was revealed—a love capable of conquering death.
Dear young people,
When you are suffering, turn to Jesus.
Do not be afraid to speak to him honestly, even when you struggle to find the words for prayer.
He knows our tears and the questions to which we do not yet know the answers.
Seek, too, the company of those who love you too.
Some sorrows require time and a helping hand.
Faith sustains us on this path and reminds us that suffering does not have the final word.
Be passionate about what is worthwhile, what is true, good and beautiful.
Develop your talents, discover the richness of your culture and dare to undertake ambitious projects.
Pope Francis reminded us that this “restlessness” can inspire us to take control of our lives and accept a mission (cf. Christus Vivit, 138).
Do not settle for living according to others’ expectations.
God has created you to accomplish something that no one else can do in quite the same way.
Now, let us return now to the two disciples.
In response to Jesus’s question, they said: “Rabbi, where are you staying?”
He replied: “Come and see” (John 1:38-39). What a simple answer!
Those men wanted to meet Jesus and share in his life.
The Lord did not explain everything that lay ahead of them in advance.
For now, accepting his invitation was enough.
This is how a vocationbegins – the second word I would like to discuss with you.
We all ask ourselves what to do with our lives and whom to give our best selves to.
The answers are found when we dare to walk with Jesus.
As Saint Paul reminds us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (cf. Ephesians 1:4).
Even before we existed, we were already loved by him!
Sometimes, we wonder if following God’s will means giving up our dreams.
This fear can lead to an even more dangerous suspicion: that God is withholding something from us and that we need to sin to enjoy life to the fullest. (see Gen 3:5).
Dear friends, I would like you to engrave the following words of Pope Benedict XVI in your hearts: “Evil is always poisonous.” (Homily, December 8, 2005).
Do not be deceived.
How could something that harms us possibly make us happy?
God knows our deepest desires, even better than we do.
He placed the desires to love and be happy within us, and he wants to fulfill them.
As with the first disciples, it all begins with a simple invitation—from a friend, an experience of service, or an encounter with someone whose life makes us question what truly matters.
The stories we heard this evening also began with an invitation.
Learning to recognize the Lord’s voice is essential.
So, dear young people, set aside time for silence before the Blessed Sacrament to encounter him.
Speak to him about your plans and let his word challenge you.
Do not be afraid to ask him what he expects of you.
Some will be called to the priesthood or consecrated life, while others will be called to marriage and forming a family.
Everyone is called to use their talents to serve others.
Some of you may feel like you’ve made too many mistakes, or that it’s too late to start over.
I would like to tell you: Look to Jesus.
He knows your story and invites you to walk with him.
You don’t need to have your entire future planned out before accepting his invitation.
Take the step you can take today.
Trust in his love and let him accompany you.
Often, the Lord shows us the way as we travel along it.
The Gospel continues with a beautiful detail: the two disciples “remained with him that day” (John 1:39).
Saint John remembers exactly when it happened: around four o’clock in the afternoon.
The passing years could not erase the mark left by that encounter.
They stayed with Jesus.
This is how a relationship begins and grows as you journey together.
Now, I would like to entrust you with the third word: friendship.
Our vocation grows when we learn to stay close to the Lord, listen to him, and share our joys and concerns with him.
Over time, the disciples discovered the full extent of Jesus’s love.
During the Last Supper, Jesus said to them, “You are my friends” (Jn 15:15).
That same night, he spoke words that would be fulfilled on Good Friday afternoon:
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (v. 13).
This is your Friend who calls you!
Cultivate your friendship with Jesus through prayer, the Eucharist, and listening to his word.
The more we learn to love Jesus, the more capable we become of loving others as he does.
Our friendship with Christ also leads to more authentic friendships with others. These friendships sincerely seek the well-being of others, know how to forgive, and remain faithful, especially in times of difficulty.
It is beautiful to find friends who help us grow closer to God.
The Church is born from and sustains this friendship with Christ.
In the church, we find brothers and sisters who help us persevere.
We all need someone to listen to us, encourage us when we’re weak, and simply be there for us.
So don’t feel like you always have to appear strong, especially if you lead groups or support others.
Allow yourself to be cared for.
Remember that Jesus wanted disciples nearby in the Garden of Gethsemane when he was in anguish (Matthew 26:38).
Don’t be afraid to share your sorrows with your friends and seek the support you need.
There is one final detail from the Gospel that I would like to mention.
After the encounter, Andrew went to find his brother Simon and told him:
“We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
Andrew brought him to meet Jesus.
Do the same!
Think especially of those who are going through difficult times.
A gesture of friendship can change the course of a life.
Do not be afraid to talk about Jesus and demonstrate to others how good your friendship with him is through your lives.
Dear young people,
Listen to Jesus’ invitation and dare to follow him.
I would like to remind you today that the Lord “does not take anything away, but gives you everything” (Benedict XVI, Homily, April 24, 2005).
Trust in Christ!
Trust him as you would a true friend who knows you, loves you, and will never abandon you.
This trust will deepen your friendship with him every day.
Therefore, let us ask the Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints of Peru, to help us grow in trust each day.
May he help us live our vocations with passion, and to help us remain in his friendship always.
Let us say together a simple prayer that will help us trust Jesus more each day.
I invite you to repeat after me:
Jesus, I trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart.
Come into my family and to my community.
Come into my life soon. Come quickly, Lord!