Pope Leo XIV urges youth to shun ‘the idols of our time’ and turn to Christ

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Pope Leo XIV appealed to young people to reject worldly distractions and follow Christ, assuring them that their past mistakes are no obstacle to joining the Church.

“Dear young people, Christ loves us and wants us to share in his own life,” Leo told an estimated 1 million participants at a vigil on Nov. 10, his last night in Argentina. “Christ offers you a life that not even death can take away.”

The event took place at the same site in northern Buenos Aires where Leo had celebrated Mass the previous day, drawing an estimated 2.5 million people. The crowds in Argentina have been by far the largest of his pontificate.

Pope Leo XIV participates in a youth vigil at the Monumento de los Españoles in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 10, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN

The pope’s speech came after testimonies and questions from young people, including a man recovering from drug addiction.

Leo urged his listeners to reject what he called “the idols of our time,” which cannot provide happiness or life.

“Idols arise and demand our worship: success at any cost, money, an obsession with appearance, popularity or the unrestrained pursuit of pleasure.…