Pope Leo XIV has urged young people to stand firm against pornography, drugs and other harmful influences, warning that the pursuit of pleasure, popularity and social approval can become distractions from meaningful lives.
The pontiff gave the warning during a youth prayer vigil at the Monumento de los Españoles in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Tuesday, November 10, where an estimated one million people gathered to participate in the event.
Drawing on the biblical account of three young men who refused to worship a golden statue erected by King Nebuchadnezzar, Pope Leo challenged young people to resist what he described as the modern-day idols of society.
He identified success at any cost, money, obsession with physical appearance, popularity and the unrestrained pursuit of pleasure among the influences competing for people’s attention.
The Pope also cautioned against the pressure to gain approval on social media, saying it could lead people to lie, betray or humiliate others online.
He warned that some businesses promote forms of pleasure that eventually become addictive and enslave people, specifically citing pornography and various substances.
“You, too, are called to stand firm before the idols of our time. Do not bow down before anything that cannot give you life. And if you have ever fallen, get back up,” he told the gathering.
Beyond the warning, Pope Leo encouraged young people who had drifted away from the Church or struggled with their faith to reconnect, assuring them that they remained welcome.
He said there was a place in the Church for everyone, including those with questions, personal struggles and difficult experiences, adding that no one was beyond the reach of Christ’s love.
He urged the young people to embrace forgiveness and personal transformation, encouraging them to pray, read the Gospel, participate in the Eucharist and seek reconciliation.
Pope Leo also called on them to demonstrate their faith through practical acts of service, including sharing food with the hungry, welcoming homeless people, visiting the sick and supporting those experiencing difficulties that may not be immediately visible.
“May your lives become pages of the Gospel, written in the ink of mercy,” he said.
He concluded by encouraging the young people to take their faith into their communities and share the message of Christ, urging them to go beyond the gathering and reach people who feel distant from God.
The vigil formed part of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled to run from November 6 to 17, 2026.
