In an energetic gathering, Pope Leo XIV urged young Romans to reject superficial online relationships and embrace real friendships rooted in faith — reassuring them they are never alone in Christ.
The real is always better than the imagined, the superficial, the partial. Tone of voice, gestures, the way one moves, the speed at which one thinks or talks, the amount of music in the voice, the delight in the things of this world, the other people who delight us and surprise us both, so that it magnifies the pleasure of being together even more; the depth of our history, our experiences over time, the connections and serendipities of our actual lived experience. None of this is reducible to online experience. Eating and sharing meals, laughter, tears, hugs. Good for Pope Leo for reminding people!
I’m not Catholic but a non-MAGA Christian (a rare thing it feels like but we do exist). Pope Francis and Pope Leo are leaders I can get behind. Pope Leo is literally the only formal leader who gives me hope right now.
I'm a lapsed Catholic, but this Pope gives me hope.
A man who is a true inspiration.
The real is always better than the imagined, the superficial, the partial. Tone of voice, gestures, the way one moves, the speed at which one thinks or talks, the amount of music in the voice, the delight in the things of this world, the other people who delight us and surprise us both, so that it magnifies the pleasure of being together even more; the depth of our history, our experiences over time, the connections and serendipities of our actual lived experience. None of this is reducible to online experience. Eating and sharing meals, laughter, tears, hugs. Good for Pope Leo for reminding people!
Powerful, thank you.
This is a great message, Chris, thank you, for the article.
Thank you, I appreciate what you do.
A positive message for young people and for us all.
I’m not Catholic but a non-MAGA Christian (a rare thing it feels like but we do exist). Pope Francis and Pope Leo are leaders I can get behind. Pope Leo is literally the only formal leader who gives me hope right now.
Couldn’t have said it better myself 🤗