His Holiness Pope Francis... Friend of the Youth and Their Greatest Supporter

The General Coordinator of APECL Jeune in Lebanon Lawyer Roy Jreich in an Interview with the MECC Media:

"His Holiness gave youth his thoughts, heart and life. He listened to their challenges, concerns, hopes, and aspirations"

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

"Walk in hope!  Hope overcomes all weariness, every crisis and every worry. It gives us a powerful incentive to move forward, for it is a gift received from God Himself. The Lord fills our life with meaning, sheds light on our path and shows us its ultimate direction and goal."

This is what His Holiness Pope Francis wanted from youth in his message on the occasion of the 39th World Youth Day. He wanted them to embark on a journey as pilgrims, discover life through love, seek God’s face, and experience God's merciful embrace.

His Holiness Pope Francis, a friend of the youth and their greatest supporter, has accompanied them in many stages, celebrations, conferences, and gatherings. On every occasion, he encouraged them to strengthen their faith and face life's challenges with hope and perseverance. He was the one who called on them to seek happiness, without giving up, and to have the courage to replace fears with dreams.

Between these Papal encounters and events, many youth experiences from the Middle East and the world document the closeness of His Holiness to today's youth and the future leaders.

Pope Francis and His Closeness to Youth

In an interview with the Media Office of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Lawyer Roy Jreich, the General Coordinator of the National Committee for Youth Pastoral Affairs APECL Jeune in the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, expressed the importance of Pope Francis's experience, saying that His Holiness "gave youth his thoughts, heart, and life, especially as he dedicated three years of his Papacy to youth. During these three years, he accompanied all youth, both committed and non-committed, in a special Synod. He listened to their challenges, concerns, hopes, and aspirations within the heart of the Church."

He added, "Pope Francis created dialogue and communication between the Church as leaders and youth from different countries, directions, and affiliations, which strengthened the bond with today’s youth. The three years were entitled 'Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment', and resulted in very significant outcomes, summarizing Pope Francis’ vision for a renewed youth ministry in the Church."

Pope of Hope and APECL Jeune

His Holiness Pope Francis has inspired many youth groups and movements. Through his approach and guidance, he was as a compass leading them closer to Jesus Christ and His teachings. As for the National Committee for Youth Pastoral Affairs APECL Jeune within the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, it had its own special experience with the Holy Father.

Lawyer Roy Jreich explains that "the Apostolic Exhortation "Christus Vivit' became a roadmap for us as a National Youth Pastoral Committee, and an incentive for us to move together towards a renewed youth ministry, which we adopted in our vision and starting point in 2021. We also participated in preparing the Youth Synod in Rome, and consequently, we implemented its resolutions, especially regarding the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Christus Vivit,' by spreading it and circulating it to all leaders and officials of the Youth Pastoral Committee."

He continued, "The Synodal path taught us how to walk together and contributed to enhancing our journey as youth Pastoral leaders from various Catholic Churches in Lebanon, with the Synodal spirit that we continue to follow as pilgrims of hope in our work and service in the heart of our Catholic Church. This left a significant impact on our tasks, relying on all of His Holiness Pope Francis’ aspirations for youth, as well as his thoughts, projects, and paternal words, which stemmed from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. This encounter, strengthened by the Pope, encouraged us to experience the living Christ, the One who rose from the dead."

A Personal Experience Filled with Determination

Regarding his personal experience with Pope Franics, Lawyer Roy Jreich says that he met His Holiness many times through his service in APECL Jeune, during conferences organized for youth Pastoral leaders from all over the world. This was in addition to many pre-Synodal meetings. The last meeting with His Holiness was last year, on May 25, 2024.

Jreich will never forget one of the meetings in which he addressed the Holy Father, saying, "The youth of Lebanon are waiting for you to come and celebrate with them." His Holiness shook his hand and said, "I will come to Lebanon!" Hence, Jreich describes the profound impact this meeting had on his life and pointed out, "the meeting strengthened and empowered me in my journey within the APECL Jeune, where we draw inspiration from the Pope’s words and speeches."

He concluded, "We thank God that, as youth, we were able to live during the Papacy of Pope Francis, who was the inspiring motivator that renewed us with the spirit of working together, in love, and through the example he set in service."

His Holiness Pope Francis, who has always called for service and perseverance in the Lord's work, followed youth through every stage of their lives, emphasizing the importance of living joyfully and giving. Noting that he brought joy to their hearts during one of the largest gatherings held with him in Lisbon in 2023 during the World Youth Days. At the end of this event, he announced that the city of Seoul will host the next World Youth Days in 2027, where he will meet them again.

However, his meeting with the Heavenly Father today was quicker... there, he will continue praying for the youth in heavenly joy with the Angels and Saints.