EDITORIAL

JUBILEE FOR THE YOUTH

BY Rafael Armada | EDITOR

ON 8 MAY 2025, the joyful news of the election of a new Pope was announced. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago became the first American Pope, a missionary of the Augustinian Order. He chose the name Leo XIV for his pontificate; in doing so, he intended to keep alive the Social Doctrine of the Church, validated by Pope Leo XIII with his encyclical Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis, who passed away on 21 April 2025. Pope Francis’ imprint remains outstanding in its simplicity, and in his care for the marginalized, his heeding the cry of the earth and of the poor, and his passion for young people, all part of his enduring inheritance.

June is Youth Month in South Africa. We commemorate the 1976 uprising in Soweto, where hundreds of youths lost their lives opposing the Apartheid regime, searching for a more inclusive society. Unfortunately, their dreams of liberation have yet to be fulfilled. Millions of young people struggle to secure a bright future for themselves and still face numerous challenges, such as an inadequate education system, unemployment at record-breaking levels, and substance abuse, just to mention a few.

“Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments, and ideas.” (Pope Leo XIV)

In this year of Jubilee, how can we speak of hope for the youth in the midst of so many difficulties and frustrations which confront them? Firstly, their lives and capabilities are a first sign of hope. Africa is a young continent. According to the Population Reference Bureau, by 2030 African youth will make up 42% of the global youth population.

Our latest Popes’ trust in the youth remains alive as we listen to Pope Leo XIV addressing the Brothers of the Christian Schools during their recent visit to the Vatican:

“Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments, and ideas. It can be seen from the wonderful things they are able to do, in so many fields. However, they also need help in order for this great wealth to grow in harmony and to overcome what, albeit in a different way to the past, can still hinder their healthy development.” (catholicnewsagency.com).

As Amaniyo Josephine rightly expresses in this edition, the youth need mentorship and accompaniment to develop leadership skills and to mature their journey of faith. The spirit of June 16 must prevail. Fr Mahlako, National Youth Chaplain, expresses it clearly: “The youth of 1976 challenged the status quo. Today, our youth must be encouraged to challenge the ills of society—not necessarily with protest, but with purpose, values and vision.”

The Jubilee of Youth will be universally celebrated in Rome from July 28 to August 3. Other Jubilee celebrations are taking place locally, such as the one organised by the Pretoria Eastern Deanery last April. In the context of the Jubilee, two young men, Carlos Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, will be canonized in Rome, following the beatification of another Congolese young man, Floribert Bwana Chui bin Kositi on 15 June. These young men are models of courage and determination, of faith and charity, who give hope to so many youths who continue striving for a better world, rooted in the person of Jesus.

Lastly, a word of gratitude towards Fr Raul Tabaranza MCCJ who has been the administrator of Worldwide for the last three years. He now continues his mission in Malawi-Zambia. As he states: “Working here has been a wonderful experience, and I would like to thank you all, dear subscribers, for your support. Please continue praying for my new mission.”