Pope Leo XIV has called on young people to reject artificial substitutes for human interaction and instead pursue deep, authentic connections, drawing inspiration from the Virgin Mary. His message was delivered to thousands of young pilgrims gathered in Medjugorje for the 36th International Youth Festival.
The festival, taking place from August 4 to 8 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a global gathering at the Marian shrine where young Catholics come together to pray, reflect, and celebrate their faith.
This year’s theme, drawn from Psalm 122, is “We will go to the house of the Lord.” The Pope said the message speaks to a deep longing within the human spirit for divine connection and a place to call home in God’s presence.
“How can we walk toward the house of the Lord without losing our way?” he asked. His answer was simple and direct: through Christ. “I am the way,” he quoted from the Gospel of John. Christ, he said, is both the guide and the companion on life’s journey.
The Pope reminded the youth that faith is not a solitary pursuit. “We are made for encounter,” he said.
“We walk together and share a common goal.” He drew from the writings of Saint Augustine to illustrate how community sparks spiritual energy, with one pilgrim igniting another until a single great flame lights the path forward.
Pope Leo also addressed the risks of living in an age shaped by digital culture and artificial intelligence. “No algorithm will ever replace an embrace, a look, a real encounter,” he said. “Not with God, not with friends, not with family.”
He pointed to Mary’s visit to Elizabeth as a model of human presence and sacrificial love. Despite difficulty, she made the journey, and her arrival brought joy. “That meeting changed everything,” the Pope said.
He concluded by urging the youth to speak the universal language of faith and love. “Meet each other. Support each other. Inspire each other,” he said. “Only by walking together will we reach the house of the Lord.”
