…Urges young people to lead next generation of intercessors for world’s needs
Pope Leo XIV has commended the Church in Africa for its perseverance and dedication to the things of God amid the crises of war, hunger and poverty, saying, “the Gospel calls for reconciliation and the pacification of hearts.”
He made this known in a message sent to for the 13th General Assembly of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of the Central African Region (ACERAC), held between January 25 and February 1, 2026, in Chad with the theme ‘The challenges of the Church, Family of God in Central Africa: thirty years after the publication of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Africa.’
The Pope’s message was read by Giuseppe Laterza, the Apostolic Nuncio in Chad, to the group of ACERAC bishops, which include Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Chad,
Addressed to Martin Waïngue Bani, ACERAC President and Bishop of Chad, the Pope’s message expressed his spiritual closeness, reassuring the bishops of his full awareness of the zeal with which they work daily in the service of the communities entrusted to their pastoral care.
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“As pastors, you face urgent issues that present themselves with particular intensity in your pastoral ministry,” Pope Leo stated.
Similarly, the Pope also met with the leadership and members of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and urged them to work towards attracting young people to move closer to God. “It is especially important to invite young people to take part so that they may form the next generation of intercessors for the needs of the whole world.”
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is a Pontifical Work entrusted to the Society of Jesus. Every month the network releases the Pope’s prayer intention, which focuses on challenges facing humanity and the Church.
According to the Vatican, the Network is rooted in the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus, especially through the formation itinerary “The Way of the Heart.”
The Pope highlighted how spirituality allows the Network and its members to know Christ more intimately and to be more compassionate and empathetic as they offer prayerful support for those in need.
According to him, since many young people are searching for a more profound and personal relationship with the ‘Risen Jesus’, the network’s Eucharistic Youth Movement can be a particularly fruitful path to help young people grow in a deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ.
“It is my hope that through your apostolate you will continue to help the baptized to understand that they are friends and apostles of Christ,” Pope Leo stated.
