OTTAWA — At the National March for Life’s Youth Summit May 9, many teens and young adults entering the Ottawa Conference and Events Centre were still processing the news of Pope Leo XIV’s election the previous day.
While most attendees were aware the conclave drew to a close at the same time they convened for the March for Life kick-off at Parliament Hill, many had yet to catch up on and process who the new leader of the Catholic Church is and where he comes from.
“I had heard the news, of course, but my first thought was that his name did not ring a bell right away,” said Tristan Kolsch. “I think a lot of (young adults) are taking the time now to find out a little bit more about him, but it’s an exciting time nonetheless.”
Zephania Gangl, a young adult and youth minister at St. Patrick’s Parish in Schomberg, Ont., and St. Mary’s Mission Church in nearby Nobleton, greeted the news that Cardinal Robert Prevost would assume the See of Peter as Pope Leo XIV with puzzled excitement.
“To see Pope Leo XIV be elected as the successor to Pope Francis, I felt a mixture of surprise and excitement. I had not known his name prior to the announcement, which made it all the more striking to learn that he is the first American to ascend to the papacy,” she said.
“What moved me most, however, was the profound humility he displayed as he appeared before the crowd. With tears in his eyes, Pope Leo XIV seemed deeply aware of the immense responsibility now placed upon him, the burden of the cross he must bear and the authority he now holds as the ‘perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’ ”
Perhaps the most captivating aspect of the Church’s newest shepherd to Gangl was that hailing from Chicago, he is the first pope born in the United States. Of the youth in attendance at the summit, that seemed to resonate most as they familiarize themselves with the new pope.
“I had heard that he was a (Chicago) White Sox fan,” said Ryan amid a dispute with his friend, who claimed it was the crosstown rival the Cubs of Major League Baseball instead.
“Either way, he is now the first American pope, that I do know,” his friend said.
“I’m not sure if that is a good or a bad thing, but it’s something that people seem to be interested in,” said Ella Xu. “From what I have heard and seen in just under a day, he seems like he is genuine and well spoken, and that is something we can appreciate.”
While interesting that Leo XIV is the first U.S. and Peruvian citizen as well as the first Augustinian friar to be made pope, young Catholics also hold real hopes and wishes as his new mission begins.
“I pray that Pope Leo XIV will remain steadfast in fidelity to tradition and be a powerful force for unity within the Church. In a world and even within the Church, marked by division and unrest, may he draw upon the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to foster communion and lead the Church in her saving mission,” said Gangl.
“I especially look forward to how Pope Leo will confront the growing secularism and materialism in our culture. I pray he speaks directly to the hearts of young people, inspiring them to embrace the joy of following Christ wholeheartedly and to resist the allure of worldly distractions.”
Gangl also passionately emphasizes the role of youth in countering modern challenges with the light of Christ, saying that “the mission of the New Evangelization must be made real for today’s youth, encouraging them to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and shine as lights in a darkened world.”
“It is through this bold and joyful witness that the Church can effectively respond to the challenges of atheistic materialism, consumerism and hedonism.”
The pro-life youth summit, one of the many events taking place during the National March for Life, continued throughout the day with keynote speeches from Mayra Rodriguez and Fr. Calvin Robinson.
As young adults continue to learn about their new pope and his hopes for the Church, they can take early solace in knowing that his mission is deeply rooted in the love of Christ.
“This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis taught us so many times, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ the Saviour. Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,’ ” Pope Leo XIV said in his first Homily during Holy Mass for the College of Cardinals May 9.
