The Saints of France and young people gathered at the Vigil to recreate a reality that is passed down from one generation to the next. They traced the country’s history through ten scenes featuring its saints.
Joan of Arc, Saint Vincent de Paul, the Curé of Ars, Thérèse of Lisieux. Even Louis IX brought the Crown of Thorns, just as he did in the 13th century.
These same young people brought their human concerns to the pope.
FRANÇOIS
Young Frenchman
How can we discern where the Lord is waiting for us to serve and offer our lives?
POPE LEO XIV
These are very widespread feelings due to the uncertainty of future plans, the temporary nature of emotional bonds, and the fragility of relationships. Added to these feelings are others that weigh heavily on your generation, such as screen fatigue and anxiety about climate change or the economic and international situation. Yes, we must listen carefully to these feelings. I invite all of you, dear young people, to keep your hearts open.
The Holy Tunic is the garment worn by Christ during his Passion; tradition links it to Charlemagne and the Byzantine Empress Irene. It was one of the main elements of the vigil.
Pope Leo XIV proposed two paths to them: the path of social media “likes,” or the struggle of a Christian, who is armed with love.
POPE LEO XIV
Reject this greed that consumes relationships without giving anything in return, and that floods us with things without ever satisfying us. This is a lifestyle that drives us to have everything, yet to be nobody; to receive countless “likes,” yet to remain alone with ourselves.
Our struggle is not a struggle against others; it does not employ the weapons of violence, contempt, or oppression. Our only weapon is the love that gives of itself.
From Joan of Arc to “likes”; from the Tunic of Christ to doubts about the future. Pope Leo XIV leaves a message in Saint-Denis for a generation that is searching for how to live and why.
