By LiCAS News
SEOUL — In his message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the pope urged young people to step back from distractions and cultivate an interior life where discernment can take root.
“Dear young people, listen to this voice! Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life,” he said.
The message, released ahead of Good Shepherd Sunday on April 26, presents vocation as a personal encounter with God rather than a fixed path or obligation.
The pontiff described it as “the discovery of God’s free gift that blossoms in the depths of our hearts.”
He stressed that recognizing this call requires silence, prayer, and attentiveness to God’s presence.
“Do not go outside yourself. Return within yourself. Truth dwells in the inner person,” he said, quoting Saint Augustine.
Pope Leo XIV also urged families, parishes, and Church communities to support young people in discerning their vocation, calling on them to “commit themselves more fully to creating conditions that allow this gift to be embraced, nourished, protected and accompanied.”
He said trust in God remains essential, especially in moments of uncertainty, pointing to Saint Joseph as an example of steadfast faith even when circumstances “seemed shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.”
The pope encouraged young people to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and active participation in Church life.
“In this way, the gift of your vocation will mature, bringing you happiness and yielding abundant fruit for the Church and the world,” he said.
