Pope to West African youth: Bear witness to peace, love amid conflicts

By Devin Watkins Pope Leo XIV sent a video message in English and French to thousands of young people gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the first-ever West Africa Youth Days. The event takes place on September 7-12 under the theme “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa,” and was organized by the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA). In his message, the Pope praised the Bishops of the 16 countries for placing young people at the heart of their pastoral priorities. “I am convinced that these powerful moments spent together will help you to grow in faith and become ever more deeply enriched by values such as encounter and openness to others,” he said. Pope Leo noted that young people endure the weight of doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity, threatening to upset their plans for the future.