At a press conference Friday following Pope Leo XIV’s historic “digital visit” with 16,000 young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, leaders and young participants praised Pope Leo’s warmth, humility, authenticity, and pastoral clarity, highlighting his central message: a personal relationship with Jesus is essential.

“Walking up on that stage felt like history. It really did,” said Elise Wing, a high school senior from Waterloo, Iowa, and one of the teens selected to ask Pope Leo a question during the live dialogue, which was facilitated digitally by EWTN on Nov. 21.

“It’s beautiful to see somebody so holy really coming to us like that, like Jesus would — like Jesus does,” Wing said.

“Because in the end … we’re not excited because we got to talk to the pope. We’re excited because this is Jesus working through the Church, working through the pope in this conversation. I just think that knowing that, and feeling that it wasn’t just about us in that moment, makes this experience all the more incredible.”

Read more from Jonah McKeown in Indianapolis.

Pope Leo XIV spoke to teenagers during a digital encounter at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday in Indianapolis during the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).

Five teenagers asked the pope questions regarding using technology, recovering from mistakes, giving worries to Jesus, avoiding distractions, and preparing for the future of the Church. The pope gave guidance to the young crowd with words applicable to both teenagers and the universal Church.

Here are 10 takeaways from the Holy Father’s dialogue that Catholics can apply to their lives.

Pope Leo XIV answered questions from five teenagers at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis during a live digital encounter Friday morning.

Mia Smothers, Micah Alcisto, Ezequiel Ponce, Christopher Pantelakis, and Elise Wing asked Pope Leo questions and held a conversation with him on Nov. 21 as thousands of teens gathered in Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Holy Father discussed matters close to the teens’ hearts including recovering from mistakes, giving worries to Jesus, distractions, technology, and the future of the Church.

CNA’s Tessa Gervasini has the fully story from Indianapolis.

Moderator Katie McGrady asks: “What’s bringing you hope right now, and what’s your hope for the future of the Church? How can we help you?”

Pope: “I think it’s important to repeat that young people are part of the Church’s present and also the hope for the future of the Church. We look to you … to help shape the Church in the years ahead. And that’s something to be excited about! [applause]. Now is the time to dream big, to be open to what God can do through your lives. Being young often comes with the desire to do something meaningful, something that makes a real difference. Many of you are ready to be generous, to help those you love, to work for something greater than yourselves. … As Benedict XVI reminded us, we weren’t made for comfort. We were made for greatness. We were made for God himself. Deep down, we long for truth. We long for beauty. For goodness. Because we were created for them. This treasure we seek has a name: Jesus. He wants to be found by you, wants to be known by you. Friendship with Jesus is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. … When we think about the Church’s future, the first thing we must do is deepen our own friendship with Jesus. This means personal conversion. Letting God transform our hearts so we can follow God more closely. … Part of being Jesus’ disciple is being authentic. Young people have a strong sense for authenticity. You can tell when someone is genuine or fake. Don’t lose that instinct! Do not settle for a shallow version of faith. … Authentic witnesses to the Gospel can help heal and unite humanity. Jesus also calls his disciples to be peacemakers, people who build bridges instead of walls. People who value dialogue and unity instead of division. Please be careful not to use political categories to speak of faith or to speak of the Church. The Church doesn’t belong to any political party. Rather, she helps form your conscience. The Church helps form your conscience so you can think and act with wisdom and love. As you grow closer to Jesus, do not fear what he might ask of you. He challenges you to make changes in your life, always because he wants you give you greater joy, greater freedom. God is never outdone in generosity. … Augustine knew that God strengthens those who open their hearts to him. … The world needs holy families who pass on the faith and show God’s love in daily life. If you think you may be called to marriage, pray for a spouse who will help you grow in holiness, help you grow in faith. Some of you may be called to the priesthood. … If you feel that tug in your heart, don’t ignore it. Speak with a priest you trust. Others may be called to consecrated life, to be witnesses to a joyful life given completely to God. … Do not be afraid. Ask the Lord to guide you, to show you his plan. … Trust Jesus. He knows how to lead you to true happiness. … When we give ourselves to him we receive far more than we could ever imagine. Your vocation is always connected to the greater mission of the Church. … Jesus sent his disciples to prepare the way for him, to preach, to heal. … What greater gift can you offer the world than the gift of eternal life in Christ? What greater cause could you dedicate your life to than the Gospel? … To those attending the conference in Indianapolis, know that I am praying for you. I hope everything you have experienced during the conference inspires you to love the Church and love Jesus more deeply. … [To those online] You too are called to be missionary disciples wherever you are. Thank you for your questions, thank you for listening today. I see great hope and promise in you! And I trust that the Lord is at work in your lives.”

Elise asks: “How can we as young people make sure we are part of the conversation about the future?”

Pope Leo: “You are not only the future of the Church, you are the present! [applause] Your voices, your ideas, your faith matter right now, and the Church needs you, the Church needs what you have been given to share with all of us. If you want to help the Church prepare for the future, start by being involved today. Stay connected to your parish. Attend Sunday Mass. Join youth activities. And say yes to opportunities … where your faith can grow. The more you come to know Jesus, the more you will want to serve him and his Church. One great way to build up the Church is by sharing your faith, teaching your faith to others, helping others who need you. … Deepen your prayer life as well. Spend time praying before the Eucharist. … Go to confession regularly. … These practices help [you] hear God’s voice more clearly. If you feel the Lord may be calling you to something more specific, to some vocation, talk to your parish priest or another trusted leader. They can help you discern. … [mentions St. Pier Giorgio Frassati] When he died at just 24 years of age, thousands of people, many of them poor, came to honor him for his goodness. He gives us a marvelous example of what holiness looks like in everyday life. … [To young people:] I believe your yes will strengthen the Church now and in the years to come.”

Elise Wing from the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa: “I’m worried that the Church might not be relevant to people or mean as much. So my question is, how is the Church preparing for the future?”

Pope Leo: “When we face challenges or worry about the future, it might be good to remember the promise that Jesus once made to Peter when he said: The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. Jesus will always protect [and guide] his Church. … We are all in God’s hands. Jesus wants everyone to come close to him. I see this desire when I meant young people who are sincerely searching for God. … He told us not to be overwhelmed by worry but to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that everything else will fall into place. And he promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us and help us to understand what we need to do. Indeed, throughout history, the Holy Spirit has guided the Church through councils, through many important gatherings. … In recent years, this guidance has included listening intensively to all the voices of the faithful. … When we speak and listen to one another in a prayerful way, we can be confident that Jesus is walking with us, even if the path ahead is not clear.”

Micah Alcisto from Honolulu: “Oftentimes many of us including myself can rely on AI … in things such as our schoolwork like writing a good essay or walking us through a math problem or answering a history question … What do you think we should be cautious of when embracing this new technology?”

Pope Leo: “AI is becoming one of the defining features of our time. Recently there was a conference here in Rome focused on protecting children and teenagers in today’s digital world. … Safety is not only about rules. I’s about education, and it’s about personal responsibility. Filters and guidelines can help you, but they cannot make choices for you. Only you can do that. … It also means strengthening your will with God’s grace, so you can freely choose what helps you grow [and] avoid what harms you. … Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow, never in ways that distract you from your dignity or your call to holiness. … AI can process information quickly. But it cannot replace intelligence. And don’t ask it to do your homework for you! It cannot offer you wisdom. AI will not truly judge between what’s right and wrong. And it won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation. Be prudent, be careful, be wise with the use of AI. Use it in such a way that if it disappeared tomorrow, you would still know how to think. … AI can never replace the unique gift that you are to the world.”

Chris Pantelakis from the Archdiocese of Las Vegas asks: “I often find myself sitting on my phone endlessly scrolling. I’ve also noticed that everyone around me has the same or similar problem. Many adults have told me that technology is great with moderation. My question is: How do you suggest we balance all these tools … while also making faith connections outside of technology?”

Pope Leo: “Technology can really help us in many ways, including [helping] us live our Christian faith. … It gives us amazing tools for prayers, for reading the Bible, for learning more about what we believe. And it allows us to share the Gospel with people we may not meet in person. But it can never replace real in-person relationships. … As Catholics, we often pray together. … The early Church experienced powerful moments of Jesus’ presence when they prayed together. Watching Mass online can be helpful especially when someone is sick or elderly or cannot attend in person. But actually being there, taking part in the Eucharist, is so important for our prayer, for our sense of community. It’s essential for our relationship with God and with each other. There’s nothing that can replace true human presence. … Because of this discipline, he found a healthy balance, and kept his priorities clear. My friends I encourage you to follow the example of Carlo Acutis. Be intentional with your screen time. Make sure your technology serves your life, and not the other way around.”

Moderater Katie McGrady asks: “When you get distracted, what do you do to bring yourself back in?”
Pope Leo: “It depends … sometimes the best thing to do is to follow the distraction for a moment and see why it’s there but then to turn back and to remember why you’re there and why you’re in prayer and to say to the Lord, look Lord, I’m distracted right now, I know you understand, but not to allow yourself to be taken too far away, especially in prayer. There are all kinds of temptations, all kinds of distractions, but there is only one Jesus Christ.”

Pope Leo: “In the times I’ve spent with young people … I’ve seen that you really carry authentic joys and hopes, but also struggles and heavy burdens. I saw that clearly during the Jubilee of Youth. I want you to know that I pray for you, asking the Lord to help you grow in love for him, and virtue. I know that the Lord is working in your hearts. But I also believe he draws you close to him through the people in your life. … When you find someone you truly trust, don’t be afraid to open your heart. It’s so important to have authentic trust. But when you do, know that they can help you understand what you’re feeling and they can support you along the way. [A real friend] is someone who helps you grow closer to Jesus … Good friends will always tell us the truth even when that’s not easy to do. … Honesty will allow Jesus to work through the people that he has placed in your life. At the same time, remember that the Lord invites us to grow through our challenges. Many young people say ‘no one understands me’ but that thought can sometimes isolate you.”

Ezequiel Ponce from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles: “Growing up in public school, I got to see my peers and even myself struggle with my faith. There are moments a lot of us feel sad or overwhelmed. … How can I really give my problems to God and know that he is close to me?”

Pope: “In his first letter, St. Peter tells us to give all our worries to Jesus because he cares for us. Jesus does not just understand our struggles from a distance. He actually wants us to hand them to him because he trusts us. That starts when we have a real relationship. We cannot give our problems to someone who we barely know. … He knows when life feels heavy. Scripture reminds us that he is near to the brokenhearted. Even when we do not feel his presence, our faith tells us that he is there. … We have to have a relationship with him. In quiet, we can speak honestly about what it is in our hearts. During Eucharistic adoration, you can look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and you know he looks at you … in love. He often speaks to us gently, in stillness. That is why daily moments in silence are so important. … Giving our problems to Jesus is something we can do, we need to do, again and again. … [Suggests praying the rosary to Mary for her intercession.]”

Mia Smothers from Baltimore asks Pope Leo: “In my experience, it’s been difficult to voice my mistakes. Is it hard for you to accept God’s mercy when you make mistakes or feel like you’ve let people down?”

Pope Leo: “All of us struggle with this at times. The truth is, none of us is perfect. St. Paul teaches that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He tells us that in his letter to the Romans. Because of original sin, we sometimes do the opposite of what we know is right. But there’s good news: Sin never has the final word. Whenever we ask for God’s mercy, he forgives us.

“Even when we fall again, we should remember St. Paul’s words: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He came for us knowing our weaknesses. Jesus told many stories about God’s joy when someone returns to him. … Jesus also called himself the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost sheep. Even on the cross, he forgave the good thief and prayed for those who crucified him. We may struggle to forgive, but God’s heart is different. God never stops inviting us back. …

“We experience this mercy of God in a special way in the sacrament of reconciliation. … When we honestly confess our sins and accept our penance, the priest gives absolution, and we know with certainty that we are forgiven. … Do not focus only on your sins. Look to Jesus, trust his mercy, and go to him with confidence. He will always welcome you home.”

The live dialogue with Pope Leo XIV has begun!

“Dear young people, dear friends, good morning. I’m very glad to be with all of you through this digital connection. … I’m grateful to everyone who helped organize this event and made it possible to be together today even if it’s only through a screen. …

“What a blessing it is to see so many young Catholics seeking the Lord with sincerity and joy!

“I was happy to see how much time is dedicated to adoration, to daily Mass, to the sacrament of Reconciliation (at NCYC).

“We remember how Mary, even from her youth, offered her whole life to God. She invites us to do the same.”

Young people are preparing for their dialogue with Pope Leo XIV as Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia leads the crowd in prayer.

Young Catholics across America are stepping forward as leaders in faith, inspiring adults and peers with their openness and energy. From powerful youth-led movements to individual stories of prayer and perseverance, this video showcases how teens and young adults — especially Gen Z — are reigniting faith and hope in the Church.

Meet high school students, youth ministers, and missionaries who share honest reflections on turning to Christ during challenging times, dealing with pressures like social media and technology, confronting issues such as pornography, and searching for authentic belonging after the pandemic. Through retreats, pilgrimages, school chapels, and small-group encounters, these young men and women find strength, joy, and purpose in relationship with Jesus.

Recent studies reveal that Christianity’s decline has paused, with Gen Z fueling a new spiritual revival — 52% of teens want to deepen their faith. Programs like LifeTeen, NET Ministries, and vibrant parish youth groups are responding with resources for real encounters with Christ. Discover powerful testimonies and see firsthand how today’s Catholic youth are not just surviving — they’re leading the way for the Church’s future.

Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia shared his deep hopes for the next generation as thousands of young Catholics encounter the Holy Father during the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). “My hope is that it will ignite young people’s hearts, and who knows what grace does?” he said. “It’s about creating sacred encounters in sacred space and sacred time — and only God knows what grace will do!”

Pérez recalled requesting a brief audience with the pope, only to be surprised and moved when the Holy Father offered to spend 45 minutes in conversation with youth. This historic digital encounter demonstrates the pope’s unity with U.S. bishops and his love for American youth. As Philadelphia’s archbishop noted, the Holy Father holds this moment close to his heart, seeing it as an opportunity to walk alongside young Catholics and encourage them to discover the power of faith when lived in community.

Young Catholics from across the country have traveled to Indianapolis to take part in NCYC for three days of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, and service. The 2025 theme is “I Am,” and the conference mission is for participants to encounter Christ and form discipleship.

On Thursday evening exhibits opened to help students gain a deeper understanding of the sacraments and to encourage them to interact with one another. Teens with themed hats packed into the convention center and began to exchange their hats as a way to meet new people at the start of the weekend.

Miriam Stebel, Catherine Downer, and Addi Kandel from the Diocese of Cincinnati told CNA they are looking forward to growing in their faith. Stebel said she hopes to “get a better understanding of the Church and the Catholic faith.”

She added: “I also think it’s pretty cool that the pope is deciding to connect with the youth more and I think it’s a good opportunity to get everyone engaged.”

“I am hoping to meet new people and just be able to talk to other young people,” Downer said. “I’m excited to learn more about Catholicism and to understand it on a deeper level.”

She said she is also looking forward to the daily breakout sessions. “There’s a few about missions and learning your faith plan,” Downer said. “So I’m excited to go and learn more about what I’m being called to do.”

Kandel said she hopes to “learn what she can work on in her own life.” She added: “One big thing I also want to do is learn more about Scripture and how to interpret it and understand it, and just how I can deepen my relationship with the Lord.”

Watch the Thursday evening opening general session on the EWTN YouTube channel:

Young people have started to fill Lucas Oil Stadium for the Thursday evening opening general session:

Pope Leo XIV will hold a historic live digital conversation with American teenagers at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on Friday. The faithful across the globe can also tune in to watch the encounter.

The pope will speak at 10:15 a.m. ET on Nov. 21 and enter into dialogue with a group of high school students.

The exchange will be broadcast via a livestream available on EWTN YouTube. Viewers can also watch through the EWTN app or on EWTN’s cable channel.

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) meets in Indianapolis for three days of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, and service for Catholic teenagers.

The 2025 theme is “I Am,” and the conference mission is for participants to encounter Christ and be empowered for discipleship.

NCYC was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), an organization committed to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people in the United States. Founded with the support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the organization works to strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ.

The conference, from Nov. 20–22, will feature Catholic speakers, daily Mass and adoration, music and worship, breakout groups and workshops, and interactive exhibits with games, vendors, meetups, and live radio shows.

CNA’s Tessa Gervasini has more on what attendees can expect.

Mia Smothers said she is looking forward to the “opportunity of a lifetime” as she prepares to speak with Pope Leo XIV during a digital encounter at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on Friday.

The Maryland teen spoke with “EWTN News Nightly” in a Nov. 18 interview:

A group of teens will speak with the Holy Father during a digital encounter at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis.

Pope Leo XIV will hold a 45-minute digital encounter with young people from across the United States at 10:15 a.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 21, and enter into dialogue with a group of high school students.

This marks the first time that a pope will directly engage with U.S. youth in a live digital encounter at NCYC. More than 40 teens have participated in the dialogue planning processs, and five of them will get the chance to speak directly with the Holy Father, organizers said.

Mia Smothers, Elise Wing, Christopher Pantelakis, Micah Alcisto, and Ezequiel Ponce will ask Pope Leo questions as thousands of teens gather in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Get to know the five teens here.

Bishops discussed young Catholics’ place in the Church ahead of the National Catholic Youth Conference.

At the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, bishops spoke about the young generation as many prepare to attend NCYC.

At a Nov. 12 press conference at the USCCB fall plenary, Archbishop Nelson Pérez of Philadelphia said: “When the pope speaks, he speaks to the world, and this will be a wonderful, wonderful moment. This encounter will engage young people in real time.”

“There is a deep significance to this encounter,” he continued, adding: “It reflects the Holy Father’s desire to connect with young people, with our youth, whom his predecessor … Pope Francis, called ‘the now of God.’”

Pérez said during his time as a priest and bishop, he has noticed teenagers “want a place in the Church.” He said: “They want to be seen, heard, and valued, which is so beautiful … They want to be loved by the Church.”

“Even in today’s interconnected world, the Church can seem far away from young people. The Holy Father’s choice to encounter the American youth … is an expression of his closeness to the youth of the world.”