On Wednesday, July 30, Pope Leo XIV held his first general audience since returning to Rome from Castel Gandolfo. Ashley Noronha joined John Morales on Morning Air to reflect on the occasion.
During his catechesis, the Holy Father spoke about the power of words, emphasizing that communication should bring healing—not harm. We are living in a time that cries out for healing. It is a climate marked by violence and conflict, one that wounds human dignity. While we’ve become more connected than ever through social media and digital platforms, Pope Leo noted that it has become increasingly difficult to actually see the humanity in one another.
We are constantly bombarded by media, misinformation, and endless noise. Pope Leo described it as an age of “emotional bulimia.” We are force-fed an incomprehensible volume of content from sources designed to manipulate how we think and feel. Eventually, it becomes impossible to process, and the confusion often spills out into how we treat others.
In the face of this distortion, Pope Leo urged the faithful to choose modes of communication that promote healing and peace. This, he said, is where the journey to Christ begins. The Church should not try to become a “safe space” where people only hear what they want. Rather, it must remain a stronghold of truth, a place where anyone, no matter their condition or background, can encounter the message of salvation.
Ashley also spoke about the ongoing Jubilee of Youth and the exuberant atmosphere it has brought to Rome and the Vatican. Throughout the streets, young people are celebrating their faith with song, chants, cheers, and of course, the sacraments. On Tuesday evening, over 100,000 youth gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Mass. To their great surprise, Pope Leo appeared afterward, addressed the crowd, and then rode through the square, greeting everyone gathered there.
It’s been a Jubilee full of joy, faith, and spiritual energy, a reminder that in the midst of a broken and noisy world, the Church remains a place of encounter, healing, and hope.