Pope Leo Tells Argentine Youth It is Never Too Late to Return to Christ

Pope Leo XIV has urged young people to reject modern-day idols, rediscover their freedom in Christ and respond to God’s call to holiness, telling them that it is never too late to return to the Church.

Addressing a prayer vigil attended by around one million young people in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, on the evening of November 10, the Pope invited them to become witnesses to Christ’s love in a world increasingly drawn to material success, popularity and unrestrained pleasure, Vatican News reported.

Reflecting on the biblical account of three young men who refused to worship an idol and were thrown into a fiery furnace in Babylon, Pope Leo highlighted their courage in remaining faithful to God despite the threat of punishment.

“What freedom there is in that response!” he said, noting that the young men understood that true happiness could be found only in God.

Drawing a parallel with contemporary society, he warned against forms of modern idolatry, including pornography, addictive substances, the pursuit of money, obsession with physical appearance, popularity and pleasure.

“Do not bow down before anything that cannot give you life. And if you have ever fallen, get back up,” he said. “Do not allow anything or anyone to take away the freedom God has given you.”

The Pope also addressed young people who may have drifted away from the Church, stopped praying or experienced difficulties in their lives. He assured them that Christ continues to welcome them regardless of their past.

“Whoever you are and whatever you may have done, Jesus Christ knows you, Jesus Christ loves you, and wants you to be close to Him,” he said.

Referring to the testimony of a young participant who had raised the question of whether it was too late to change, Pope Leo repeated: “Who told you that it was too late?”

He emphasized that nobody had fallen so far that Christ could not raise them up, encouraging young people to seek God's mercy and begin again.

The Pope explained that Christ's love does not leave people trapped in sin but seeks to restore their freedom and capacity to love.

“Christ loves us as we are, but His love is too great to leave us prisoners of sin, of what destroys us,” he said.

Inviting the young people to pursue holiness, he pointed to the example of saints who allowed God's grace to transform their weaknesses.

“May your lives become pages of the Gospel, written in the ink of mercy, so that those who meet you may recognize in you something of the love and joy of Jesus,” he said.

During the vigil, Pope Leo also responded to questions about personal limitations and the value of work. Recalling St. Ignatius of Loyola, he encouraged them to act with commitment while trusting in God's providence.

He also referred to Jesus' years of working as a carpenter, reminding young people that ordinary activities can become expressions of faith.

“When you work, study, or spend time with your friends, do so with love and offer it to the Lord,” he said. “In this way, your work too becomes prayer and a path to holiness.”