Catholic youth from across continents have issued a joint statement ahead of the papal conclave, calling on the College of Cardinals to elect a pope who will “embody humility, boldness, and closeness to people at the peripheries.”
Released shortly after the funeral of Pope Francis, the statement reflects the aspirations of young Catholics navigating “a rapidly changing world, marked by crises and new possibilities.”
“We young Catholics from different countries and cultures remember the life and teachings of His Holiness Pope Francis with the utmost respect and admiration,” the statement read. “He was a shepherd of peace, justice, and care for creation, as well as a true friend of young people.”
Expressing both grief and hope, the youth leaders affirmed their commitment to the Church and emphasized their desire to continue journeying together through the synodal path.
“We also recognise the urgent need for renewed discerning leadership to carry forward Pope Francis’ legacy of mercy, dialogue and care for our common home,” the youth said.
The statement outlines five key hopes for the new pope: that he listens to the voices of the young and marginalized; commits to peace, justice, and ecological care; promotes an inclusive and welcoming Church; embraces synodality through lay participation; and supports youth formation rooted in Catholic social teaching.
They specifically urged the next pontiff to take “a prophetic stand against war, poverty, climate injustice and all forms of exclusion and exploitation,” and to lead “a Church where everyone, especially those who seek protection regardless of their race, ethnicity, economic or social class, gender or sexuality, is treated with dignity and love.”
Pledging to support the next pope, the youth committed to live out the Gospel with “joy, courage and creativity,” and to be “protagonists of the revolution of charity and service” as described in Christus Vivit.
“We will put the teachings of Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti into practice in our daily life, including in our studies, our work and our social services,” they said. “We will continue to walk the synodal journey in communion with the whole People of God and listen with a discerning heart to the voice of the Holy Spirit.”
The statement concluded with a strong appeal for the College of Cardinals to discern a leader who reflects the humility, courage, and closeness to the marginalized and to youth, in the spirit exemplified by Christ.
The youth also called on their peers to “pray, speak out and take action with hope,” declaring that “the future of the Church and Mother Earth belongs to all of us.”
Endorsed by a broad coalition of Catholic youth organizations spanning continents, the statement reflects a growing global engagement of young people in the life and future of the Church.
Among the initial signatories are Pax Romana’s International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) and the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA), both from international and regional chapters in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe.
Other endorsers include the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS-JECI) and the International Youth Training Center (IYTC) based in Thailand.
These groups have committed to translating the statement into various national and local languages and circulating it widely among their networks to gather further endorsements.
Alongside this mobilization, they are inviting members to participate in prayer and public expressions of hope, making the initiative not only a statement of intent but a movement of faith and solidarity during this pivotal moment in the Church’s history.
