Christian World | Pope Leo XIV told members of India-born Catholic youth movement Jesus Youth to carry their apostolic zeal to new countries; the Vatican approved its revised statutes a day earlier

ACW | October 26, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV on Saturday (October 24, 2026) met participants in the Jesus Youth International Conference, a Catholic movement that began in Kerala, India, Vatican News reported.

Jesus Youth was founded 40 years ago in Kerala as a spontaneous initiative of young people within the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Vatican News said it was the movement's first meeting with the Successor of Peter, and that members spent three years in a synodal consultation on its future.

"The starting point for every authentic renewal in the Church is one's own discovery of Jesus' love," the Pope said. He urged members: "Do not lose your apostolic zeal, but rather foster it and carry it to new countries."

"Young people need to know that their lives are great and beautiful because they are part of God's greater plan," he added. He asked members to help young people discern vocations to marriage, priesthood and religious life, and told them: "Seek to preserve your unity."

Background: On Friday, October 23, the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life approved the movement's revised statutes. The Holy See recognised Jesus Youth as an international association of the faithful in May 2016. Registration for World Youth Day in Seoul opened earlier with a video message from the Pope.

Why it matters: According to Vatican News, approval of the statutes a day before the audience confirmed the official standing of a movement that has grown from a youth initiative in India into an international Catholic association.

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Source: Vatican News — Pope: 'Hearts of young people are longing to discover Christ's love'

Photo: Vatican Media