Pope Leo XIV has expressed his gratitude to the institutions and volunteers who contributed to the Jubilee Year of Hope, saying their “multifaceted contribution, often hidden”, made it possible for over 30 million pilgrims to participate. He met with representatives of these organisations in the Paul VI Audience Hall, acknowledging their hard work and responsibility.
The Pope highlighted the importance of hope, citing St. Augustine, and praised the volunteers for helping visitors rediscover hope through their service. He noted the large number of young people who attended, describing their witness as “beautiful” and emphasizing the need for good role models to guide them on the path to holiness.
Pope Leo encouraged the volunteers to ask themselves what young people truly need and where they can find answers to their deepest questions. He urged them to continue carrying hope in their hearts, citing Pope Francis’s appeal to “allow ourselves to be drawn even now by hope, and let us allow it to become contagious”.