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Pope Leo XIV calls young Franciscans to Gospel radicalism and peace

August 6, 2026 · 1 min read

ASSISI, Italy — Eight centuries after St. Francis gathered thousands of friars near the Portiuncula, Pope Leo XIV met with 2,500 young adults in Assisi on Thursday and urged them to embrace Gospel radicalism, work for peace and remain faithful to the Church despite her wounds and internal crises.

The pope spoke Aug. 6 at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels during the GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting 2026, a gathering of young people ages 18 to 33 from throughout Europe and from countries including the United States, Vietnam and South Sudan.

The event formed part of celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

In 1221, St. Francis gathered approximately 5,000 friars from across Europe near the Portiuncula for what became known as the Chapter of Mats. With nowhere else to stay, the friars slept on simple mats — an image Pope Leo XIV invoked in his remarks to the young participants, many of whom had spent the gathering sleeping in bags.

The pope arrived by helicopter at approximately 8:28 a.m. near St. Mary of the Angels. He was welcomed by Bishop Felice Accrocca of Assisi and local civil authorities before traveling to the basilica, where…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Виктор Кузнецов

It’s interesting that Dad spoke specifically about the “radicalism of the Gospel”, and he himself arrived by helicopter. Francis would probably have come on foot. But there were a large number of young people, and the fact that they slept in sleeping bags, like those on mats in 1221, is on point. In Krasnodar, sometimes young people also stay to help after service, so they wouldn’t lose such simplicity.

Χριστίνα Νικολαΐδου

Something struck me: the Pope spoke about the radicalism of the Gospel and came by helicopter, while Saint Francis would walk. However, the children who slept in sacks like those on mats in 1221, this is indeed in his spirit. Here in Larissa, after the service, the young people stay and talk for hours, they don't leave immediately.

Κώστας Παπαγεωργίου

Christina is right, the helicopter impressed me too. But the children who slept in sacks show that at least something of the spirit of Francis passed. In Thessaloniki, after the service, most of the young people rush off for a coffee, they don't stay to chat, as you say in Larissa. What do you usually say to them?

Степан Попов

It’s interesting that dad spoke specifically about the radicalism of the Gospel, and he himself arrived by helicopter at 8:28. The young people were great, they slept in sleeping bags, like those on mats in 1221, that’s the point. Not everyone stays after Sunday service in Samara either; many immediately run off to run errands.

Elisabeth Wagner

Interesting that the Pope emphasized exactly the “radical gospel” part and then arrived by helicopter at 8:28. The 2,500 young people who spent the night in sleeping bags like the brothers in 1221 on the mats, that fits better with the spirit of St. Francis. With us after the liturgy, most young people don't stay long, but move on straight away.

Иван Богданов

Interesting note about the helicopter, Victor. Francis actually walked on foot, but here technology is life. But it’s true that young people spent the night in sleeping bags, as they did on mats back then, simplicity holds. After the all-night vigil, sometimes guys stay to help in the church, and it’s good if you not only talk, but actually put your hands to it. Do such gatherings often happen in Krasnodar?

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I agree with your point about the helicopter Christina, it shows how hard it is to really live radicalism today. What you say about the children in Larissa who stay after the service and talk is nice, here in Patras ours after Agios Andreas do the same when we have good company – they stay until the church closes. How do you explain this, is it a matter of the parish or of the young people themselves?

Анна Зайцева

Yes, Ivan, it was definitely noted about sleeping bags and mats - simplicity is always closer to the point. In Novosibirsk, after the service, sometimes the guys spend the night in the church, help with cleaning or in the kitchen, and this is useful. Do such gatherings often occur in Krasnodar? Tell me if you did.

Роман Лебедев

Yes, Anna, simplicity in such overnight stays really changes a lot - without unnecessary comfort you get to the point faster. In Yaroslavl, after fishing, sometimes we also spend the night in tents, and then the conversations are real. And in Novosibirsk, do young people often stay overnight after the service, or is it more on holidays?