Pope Leo XIV has long been known for his ability to bridge divides—whether they’re generational, spiritual, or even political. But in November 2025, the pontiff is taking that reputation to new heights, connecting with young people and climate activists in unprecedented ways, and urging the world to embrace a sense of fraternity that knows no borders.
On November 21, 2025, at precisely 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time, thousands of teenagers from across the United States will gather at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). This event, hosted by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), is always a highlight for Catholic teens. But this year, it’s making history: for the first time, a pope will directly engage with U.S. youth in a live digital encounter.
The 45-minute virtual dialogue with Pope Leo XIV is the culmination of weeks of planning and anticipation. More than 40 teenagers participated in the dialogue’s planning process, but only five—Mia Smothers, Elise Wing, Christopher Pantelakis, Micah Alcisto, and Ezequiel Ponce—were selected to speak directly with the Holy Father. For these young people, it’s a moment they say they’ll never forget.
Mia Smothers, the youngest of the group and a high school freshman from Joppa, Maryland, credits her large family for teaching her patience and teamwork. She’s the second of ten children, and her parents have encouraged her to stay grounded in faith and serve others. Mia’s days are busy: she’s an altar server at St. Francis De Sales, helps with Vacation Bible School, participates in cheer, choir, and the Helping Hands Club at school, and still finds time for reading, dancing, singing, and doodling. Her hope? That her faith and her NCYC experience will inspire her siblings to discover the joy of knowing and loving God.
Elise Wing, a high school senior from Waterloo, Iowa, is another of the chosen five. She’s usually found at speech and theater events, competitive swimming meets, or serving her parish community at St. Edward’s. Elise’s confirmation saint, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, inspires her daily, and she’s looking forward to a pilgrimage to Rome, Florence, and Assisi in the spring. For now, though, she’s excited to represent faithful teens at NCYC, eager to share her perspective with Pope Leo XIV.
Christopher Pantelakis, or Chris, hails from Mesquite, Nevada, where he’s a junior in high school and a soccer enthusiast. His Virgin Valley High School team recently qualified for the state tournament, and he dreams of watching Chelsea play in England someday. Chris says he’s inspired by other young people who work to make the world a better place, and he’s eager to discuss his hopes and concerns with the pope.
Micah Alcisto, a senior from Honolulu, brings a different set of experiences. He’s a leader in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, the LIFE team, and the Catholic Honors Society. When he’s not playing baseball, working out, or fishing, he’s reflecting on how God continues to work in his life and the lives of others. Even in tough times, Micah says, his faith keeps him grounded and guides his decisions about career, relationships, education, and family.
Rounding out the group is Ezequiel Ponce, a senior from Downey, California. Ezequiel serves as a summer camp counselor, youth group leader, and even teaches at a middle school for one period each day. His parish, St. Dominic Savio, feels like home, and he’s passionate about community work and teaching. In a November 11 interview with NFCYM, Ezequiel shared, “It is an honor and a great privilege to … talk to the Holy Father. It makes me feel like my voice is heard and … that the youth of America’s voice is heard.” He added, “It is very reassuring that the Holy Father wants to indulge in dialogue with the youth.”
Katie McGrady, a Catholic author, speaker, and radio host who will moderate the NCYC event, has witnessed the teens’ excitement firsthand. “As we’ve prepared these teens to ask a question of the Holy Father, I’ve been struck by how excited they are to get to represent their peers in this moment. Their openness to dialogue, with each other and with adults who have helped prepare this moment, has inspired me to remember that the young Church is the Church of now, not tomorrow.”
While the pope’s digital encounter with American teens is making headlines, his global reach was also on display last month in Italy, where environmental educator Elizabeth Bagley attended the Raising Hope global climate change conference. Organized by the Catholic Church’s Laudato Si’ Movement, the event brought together climate scientists, activists, and spiritual leaders from various faiths to discuss how to protect the planet from climate disasters.
Bagley, who works as Managing Director for Project Drawdown, a climate solutions nonprofit, was stunned when she received an invitation from Pope Leo XIV himself. “My brother-in-law and his wife were visiting from Seattle at the time, and I ran out and showed them the email, and they said, ‘Is this for real?’” she recalled. After confirming the email was legitimate, Bagley traveled to Italy for the three-day conference, where she heard Pope Leo XIV address the assembled group.
“It was really heartening to hear someone who leads 1 billion with a B people around the world, to say, part of being a human on this planet is caring for our common home,” Bagley said. “It’s not a political issue. It’s absolutely something that as the people lucky enough to be here, that’s our obligation and our responsibility. And that was really, really moving to me.”
For Bagley, the conference was a reminder that, despite differences in doctrine and background, people of faith can unite around shared values. “There is this theme of caring for our common home, regardless of what the doctrine of the different religious tradition says,” she explained. “And that was inspiring to see people who have different ways of interacting and supporting their communities realize that we all want to Care For Our Common Home, so regardless of which door we go through to get there, let’s work together or get it done.”
Bagley returned to her home in Sitka, Alaska, energized to apply the lessons of Laudato Si’—Pope Francis’s influential letter on the environment—to her work connecting people with climate solutions. She sees the effects of climate change firsthand, from landslides in Southeast Alaska to ocean acidification, and she’s determined to help build a better future.
Amid these headline-making events, Pope Leo XIV continues to emphasize the core Christian message of fraternity and universal love. At his weekly general audience in Vatican City on November 12, 2025, he spoke about the Christian call to see everyone as a brother or sister, referencing St. Francis of Assisi’s greeting, “omnes fratres” (brothers and sisters all), as a model for unity across divisions. “Brothers and sisters support each other in hardship, they do not turn their back on those who are in need, and they weep and rejoice together in the active pursuit of unity, trust and mutual reliance,” the pope said, according to Catholic News Service.
Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that fraternity is “an essential feature of Christianity, which ever since the beginning has been the proclamation of the Good News destined for the salvation of all, never in an exclusive or private form.” He prayed for freedom from selfishness and division, urging Christians to imitate Jesus’ generous love for all people.
Whether speaking to teens in Indianapolis, climate activists in Italy, or pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV’s message is clear: the world’s future depends on solidarity, hope, and a willingness to see every person—and the planet itself—as worthy of care and respect.
