In November, Pope Leo asked the faithful to pray for suicide prevention. Suicide has become the third leading cause of death among young people.
In fact, it is estimated that more than 720,000 people take their own lives each year, according to the World Health Organization.
In his message, Pope Leo XIV encourages the faithful to seek professional help when necessary and, most importantly, invites believers not to feel shame or weakness for doing so.
This is a topic that his predecessor referred to on several occasions during his pontificate.
POPE FRANCIS
Think of how many young people, how many young people, how many young people cannot bear their own wounds and seek in suicide a way of salvation. Today, in our cities, there are so many, so many young people who see no way out, who have no hope, and who prefer to go further with drugs, with oblivion… poor souls. Think of them.
“Healing wounds, building bonds, and opening horizons” are the alternatives that Pope Leo XIV now offers and expresses in his new video distributed by the World Network of Prayer.
Trans. CRT
