"We Want Peace in the World!” — Pope Leo Makes Surprise Plea to 100,000 Youth

In an unscheduled vigil appearance, Pope Leo closed the Jubilee Mass for Youth with a spontaneous appeal for global peace — marking a defining moment in the 2025 Holy Year.

Dear friends and fellow travelers,

Letters from Leo exist solely because of your generosity. If you find value in my work, please become a paid subscriber today.

Subscriptions start at just $6.67 per month and unlock full access to my ongoing series on Faith and the Democratic Party, as well as the multi-part deep dive into Pope Leo’s life and formation.

The fourth installment — chronicling his 20-year friendship with Pope Francis — was published on Sunday.

Do you prefer a one-time gift? Donate here instead of subscribing.

In a dramatic and unannounced moment Tuesday night, Pope Leo appeared at the close of the Jubilee of Youth Mass to address a crowd of over 100,000 young pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.

Leading the crowd in the chant, “We want peace in the world!” the pope delivered an off-the-cuff, urgent appeal for peace amid escalating global conflicts.

The spontaneous vigil capped off a day already rich with symbolism.

Held as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year 2025 celebrations, the Jubilee of Youth had drawn comparisons to World Youth Day 2000 —another moment in modern Church history when young people gathered en masse in search of purpose and belonging.

This time, however, the backdrop was different: a world reeling from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a Church increasingly stepping into the global arena as a diplomatic actor.

Pope Leo’s appearance was not on the official schedule.

Earlier in the day, he had greeted delegations from across the globe, including a large group of pilgrims from Africa. But it was his final return to the square — well after most had assumed the program was over — that gave the event its defining moment.

“We want peace in the world!” he said plainly, without equivocation. But the context made clear what he meant: the Church is not merely observing the world’s tragedies — it is intervening.

Under Pope Leo’s leadership, the Holy See has maintained its tradition of diplomatic engagement, sending envoys to conflict zones, opening channels of communication in stalled negotiations, and organizing humanitarian relief efforts.

Pope Leo riding his popemobile through St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday night. Photo credit belongs to Vatican expert Rich Raho, who you should follow on social media.

But the pope’s brief message Tuesday night was not a policy declaration. Instead, it was a direct appeal to conscience, issued in the presence of the generation he hopes will lead the response.

Preparatory efforts for the Jubilee of Youth — such as the “Dialogue with the City” initiative and months of youth-led catechesis and service — have laid the groundwork for a year of mission.

But Tuesday’s vigil reframed the Jubilee’s core question: not just how to live out the Church’s hope, but where to take it.

Pope Leo’s impromptu call may prove to be one of the defining moments of the Holy Year.

As the world looks for direction, the Vatican is making a bet — one that youth can move the global conscience toward peace.

Thank you for reading. Letters from Leo is 100% sustained by your generosity. If you find value in my work, please consider supporting me by becoming a paid subscriber today.

Paid subscriptions start at only $6.67 per month and will get you full access to the ongoing Fath and the Democratic Party essays and this multi-part series on the life and formation of Pope Leo.

The fourth installment — chronicling his 20-year friendship with Pope Francis — was published last night.

Do you prefer a one-time gift? Donate here instead of subscribing.

---