Pope Leo to Taizé: Become pilgrims of trust, creators of peace and reconciliation

Vatican News

Assuring the participants of his spiritual closeness, Pope Leo XIV offered written greetings to the European Youth Meeting organized by the Taizé Community in Paris and the Île-de-France region from 28 December 2025 to 1 January 2026. The words, conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Secretary of State, featured among messages offered by other religious leaders from around the world as the Taizé participants continue to build on the “Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth” that Brother Roger, founder of Taizé, began almost half a century ago in Paris. 

At the invitation of local churches of various denominations, thousands of young people from all over Europe will gather in prayer and sharing in a spirit of celebration and friendship for the meetings. More than 100 thematic workshops are scheduled in Paris alone with over 170 experts to speak on a wide variety of topics.

'What are you seeking?'

The theme of this year's letter, “What are you seeking?”, written by Brother Matthew, Prior of Taizé, "touches on an essential question that dwells in the heart of every human being," Pope Leo noted. He encouraged the participants to reflect on it in prayer and silence with the conviction that "Christ is walking beside you and that He allows Himself to be found by all those who seek Him with a sincere heart." 

The Pope remarked that the generous hospitality they will receive in Paris from believers of various backgrounds and people of good will can offer a powerful message to the world, especially in times marked by so many challenges for the human family. "May the moments of prayer and sharing that you will experience over these days help you to deepen your faith, discerning ever more clearly how to live out the Gospel in the concrete realities of your lives."

'Become pilgrims of trust'

In conclusion, the Pope noted that their meeting takes place as the Church marks the conclusion of the jubilee year and the commemorations of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Cardinal Parolin, in sharing the Pope's greetings, recalled that during the ecumenical prayer meeting in Iznik, Turkey, Pope Leo XIV said “reconciliation is today a call that comes from all humanity afflicted by conflict and violence. The desire for full communion among all believers in Jesus Christ is always accompanied by the search for fraternity among all human beings.” 

The Pope therefore encourages everyone to become "pilgrims of trust, creators of peace and reconciliation, capable of bringing humble and joyful hope to those around you." He entrusted the participants, the Taizé Community and its ecumenical mission to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and granted his Apostolic Blessing.

The Taizé Community comprises of around eighty brothers from different church backgrounds – Catholic, Anglican, Protestant – from nearly thirty countries. It aims to be a tangible sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples. Throughout the year, the community welcomes tens of thousands of young adults from Europe and other continents for week-long meetings and experiences of prayer and life together. Most of the brothers live in the village of Taizé, in Burgundy, France, while others are sent on mission to share the living conditions of those around them in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the outskirts of Paris.