Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

The Vatican has appointed 20 young individuals from various regions and international Catholic movements to advise on matters related to the pastoral care of youth. This announcement was made by the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life on October 7.

Among the appointees is Wyatt Olivas, a 20-year-old undergraduate student at the University of Wyoming. Olivas represents the United States and is noted as the youngest member involved in the Synod of Bishops on synodality.

This advisory board was established following a recommendation from the final document of the 2018 Synod of Bishops on youth. The dicastery stated that "the group will play an important advisory and proactive role, collaborating in synodal style with the Dicastery, to further explore issues related to pastoral care for youth and other topics of more general interest, including in cooperation with other Dicasteries of the Roman Curia."

The initial group of youth advisers began their service in 2019, completing a four-year term. The newly appointed members hail from countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, United States and Zimbabwe.

Their first meeting as a collective will take place in Rome in December 2024.