On his show this week, Patrick Madrid shared a vivid account of what is unfolding in Rome during the Jubilee of Youth. Listeners heard not only about the joyful crowds and packed piazzas, but also about a deeply moving encounter that caught even seasoned pilgrims by surprise. As the welcoming Mass in St. Peter’s Square concluded, an unannounced moment of grace occurred. Pope Leo XIV appeared.
There was no fanfare, no official announcement, only the Holy Father, stepping out onto the loggia to greet the young faithful. The reaction was immediate and electric. The crowd, already lifted by the liturgy, erupted in cheers, tears, and songs. It was, as Patrick Madrid put it, a “moment of divine punctuation”—the kind that marks a pilgrimage forever.
The pope addressed the gathered youth in the languages of their hearts: Italian, Spanish, and English. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, he reminded them, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.” His words were both mission and encouragement. In English, he said, “Your cries are all for Jesus Christ, and you will be heard until the ends of the earth.” In Spanish, he assured them, “The world needs messages of hope. You are this message.” And in Italian, he invited them to become a living witness: “Let us hope that all of you will always be a sign of hope for the whole world.”
Madrid emphasized the personal tone of Pope Leo’s message. These were not abstract ideas, but a direct commissioning of young Catholics to live and proclaim the Gospel in a world desperate for light.
The pope then led the youth in a unified prayer: “We want peace in the world.” As the sun lowered behind the basilica, thousands joined in a single, fervent plea for peace. It was simple. It was powerful. And as Patrick noted on air, it was profoundly Catholic, a visible and vocal communion rooted in Christ.
The Jubilee of Youth continues in the coming days, with Pope Leo set to lead a prayer vigil on August 2 and the closing Mass on August 3. Madrid urged listeners to keep these young people in prayer, reminding his audience that these pilgrims are not merely the Church’s future. “They are the Church right now,” he said. “And they’re carrying Christ to the world.”
In a world often darkened by division, these young voices for Christ shine. Through prayer, unity, and joyful witness, they are exactly what Pope Leo called them: the message of hope the world needs.