To French Neophytes and Catechumens

In the Hall of Blessing, Tuesday, 29 July 2025, the Holy Father greeted the young people, neophytes and catechumens, on Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome.

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you.
Thank you, Your Eminence!
Dear young people, dear friends,

To begin with, I greet all of you who have come in large numbers to Rome to experience the pilgrimage of hope. I greet Bishop Jean-Philippe Nault, who is not here, and all the Bishops who are accompanying you, as well as all your chaplains and catechists.

What a joy it is to see young people who are committed to the faith and want to give meaning to their lives, letting themselves be guided by Christ and his Gospel! Baptism makes us full members of God's great family. The initiative always comes from Him and we respond by experiencing His love that saves us. On your journey as catechumens and newly baptized, each of you has a personal encounter with the Lord in the community that welcomes you. We recognize ourselves personally as daughters and sons of God through our baptism "in the name of the Father", who offers us adoption, "of the Son" who introduces us into his life and into his relationship with his Father, "and of the Holy Spirit", the source of every gift (cf. Gal 4:6). Saint Paul reveals the essential effect of baptism when he writes to the Galatians: "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (3:27).

Baptism leads to communion with Christ and gives life. It commits us to renounce a culture of death that is very present in our society. This culture of death is manifested today through indifference, contempt for others, drugs, the search for an easy life, a sexuality that becomes entertainment and the commodification of the human person, injustice, etc.

Baptism makes us witnesses of Christ. In the rite of baptism, there is a very strong, very strong sign, it is when we receive the candle lit at the Paschal candle. It is the light of Christ, who died and rose again, which we commit ourselves to keeping lit, nourishing it by listening to the Word of God and assiduous communion with Jesus in the Eucharist. St Ambrose never tired of repeating: "Omnia Christus est nobis!, Christ is all for us!", an invitation to be authentic witnesses of the Lord. He also said, with words full of love for Jesus: "Omnia Christus est nobis! If you wish to dress your wounds, he is a physician; if you burn with fever, he is the refreshing spring; if you are oppressed with guilt, he is justice, if you need help, he is strength; if you fear death, he is life; if you desire heaven, he is the way; if you flee from darkness, he is the light.... Taste therefore and see how good the Lord is; happy is the man who hopes in him" (De virginitate, 16, 99). To live happily and peacefully, we are called to place our hope in Jesus Christ.

Following the Lord, you too are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-14). The Church needs your beautiful witness of faith to grow more and more and be close to every person in need.

The catechumenate is a journey of faith that does not end with baptism, but continues throughout life, with moments of joy and difficult moments. As St. Augustine reminds us, "If he [Christ] had not become our hope, he would not have been able to lead us. He leads us as he is our guide; and he takes us with him as he is our way; he leads us to himself inasmuch as he is our homeland" (Saint Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 61).

You are called to share your experience of faith with others, bearing witness to Christ's love and becoming missionary disciples. Do not limit yourselves to theoretical knowledge alone, but live your faith in a concrete way, experiencing God's love in your daily life. The journey of faith can be long and sometimes difficult, but don't be discouraged, because God is always there to support you. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be lost, for I am your God. I make you strong, and I also help you" (Is 41:10). It is essential to experience God in prayer, in the practice of the sacraments, especially in the rediscovery of the sacrament of Reconciliation, and in community life, in order to grow in faith and love.

Dear friends, with the help and support of your pastors, your elder brothers and sisters in the faith, and following the example of the saints who faced the difficulties of their time, I encourage you to remain connected to the Lord Jesus. We are not born Christians, we become Christians when we are touched by God's grace. However, this "touch" is expressed through our carefully considered choice and our personal journey. Without these true requirements, we will wear the label of Christians, but of Christians of convenience, habit or comfort. We become authentic Christians when we allow ourselves to be personally touched in our daily lives by the word and witness of Jesus. In the midst of your tribulations, moments of loneliness and aridity, misunderstandings, and your struggles, may your hearts be rooted in him who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6), the source of all peace, joy and love.

Thank you!

Let us recite the Our Father together.

[Our Father... Blessing]

Happy Jubilee!

_______________________

L'Osservatore Romano, Daily Edition, Year CLXV no. 174, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, p. 4.

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