In front of young people, Léon XIV is revealed … a little

New pope, new style. It is clear that if in 2013 François had started his pontificate on the hats of wheels, Léon XIV tackles his new ministry with more reserve – one believed that his pontificate would last only a few years, the other should stay in the siege of stone at least two decades. Since its election on May 8, the first North American pope has remained in a certain restraint, beyond a few significant but expected calls for peace, in particular in Ukraine and the Middle East. This attitude is also praised according to a survey published by Le Figaro – 82% of French people thus judge “a good thing” that he shows himself “quite discreet”.

Volunteer or not, this relative discretion ended with the celebration from Tuesday, July 29 to August 2, to the jubilee of young people on the occasion of which hundreds of thousands of pilgrims converged on Rome. Léon XIV himself, it seems, was impatient of this meeting: while his first engagement with the young people was only planned on Saturday August 1 in the evening, he joined them by surprise at the end of the opening mass, traversing at length on the papamobile the spans of the faithful gathered in Place Saint-Pierre for the celebration chaired by Mgr Rino Fisichella. Enough to trigger in some of the overflows of tears of joy.

Obviously happy too, the sovereign pontiff had a few hours earlier already made a strong impression on the a few hundred young catechumens and neophytes (new baptized) which he received in a particular audience in a room in the Saint-Pierre basilica. Elora, coming from the diocese of Reims and baptized at Easter, says for example “the aura” of “peace and serenity” released by the sovereign pontiff. On this occasion, Leon XIV encouraged these new Catholics to persevere in faith, so as not to become “Christians of convenience”, a commitment all the more necessary in the face of a “culture of death very present in our society”.

Four days after these first meetings, an appointment is given in the suburbs of Rome. After sometimes walking two hours under a blazing sun to reach the place, some 800,000 young people responded to this prayer vigil on Saturday August 1. Pierre’s successor joined them in the early evening, arriving aboard a white helicopter from the Italian Republic.

After the inevitable papamobile towers, Léon XIV engaged in dialogue with the pilgrims, by answering three questions, a largely hailed format. Where his predecessor liked to get out of the written texts to speak spontaneously, the new pope followed the prepared responses. Skillfully, he cited his three predecessors, registering his steps in their own. But, thus giving a more personal turn to the exercise, he especially referred several times to his own spiritual master: Saint Augustine.

“Ambiguous” social networks

And as a good disciple of the bishop of Hippone, the Pope recommended a path to follow, that of friendship. This must be made of “sincere relationships” and not be dictated by “algorithms that tell us what we have to see, what we have to think and that should be our friends”, as can be the case with sometimes “ambiguous” social networks by which “man is dominated by the instrument (and) becomes an instrument”.

For the pope, the antidote is found in faith in Christ. “When our friendships reflect this intense link with Jesus, they certainly become sincere, generous and authentic,” he said. “Friendship is the way to peace.” Friendship and peace, such seem to be the keywords of Léon XIV who had notably presented himself to the world at the Balcony of the Basilica Saint-Pierre by launching: “Peace be with you”. These two strong words could also be at the heart of the first encyclical of the former missionary in Peru, expected in the coming months.

Finding his “dear friends” the next day for Sunday mass, the Pope delivered a more agreed homily, however striking a new opportunity to quote Saint Augustine. Commenting on the readings of the day, he invited young people not to seek the accumulation of wealth, but rather to listen to the thirst for infinity in them and to make it a “stool on which we can climb to lean (…) at the window of the meeting with God”.

“He gives off heat and charity”

Opposite, young people have repeatedly ovationed man in white. “He has a great way to address young people, we want to listen to him!” Enthuses Chloé, sitting in the front row during the Saturday vigil. “Young people really liked the simplicity of the Pope, analyzes Father Pavel, from Poland. He gives the impression that we can approach him without barriers.” “Our young people love it because he gives off warmth and charity!” Acquires mother Czestochowa, Brazilian nun. Before even by the content of his speeches, it was by his smiling and serene style that the Pope has woven the link with the pilgrims.

Between Léon XIV and the young people, friendship therefore seems to be established. Even if, slides Cristiano, 19 -year -old Italian, “we would sometimes like him to accelerate a little more, especially on international issues …”.