Pope Leo XIV will address young people from across the United States in a live digital encounter during the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on November 21, 2025. The event, organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), is expected to bring together up to 15,000 registered participants aged 14-18 from various Catholic youth movements.

During the general session at 10:15am ET, Pope Leo XIV will engage directly with youth in a 45-minute live dialogue. This marks the first time a pope has participated in such an event digitally with American youth. The initiative is intended to highlight the Church’s commitment to listening to and engaging with young people.

“We are humbled and thrilled to welcome the Holy Father to NCYC,” said Christina Lamas, Executive Director of NFCYM. “His presence is a profound reminder that young people are at the heart of the Church and that their voices matter.”

The pope’s involvement follows previous large-scale encounters with youth, including both online events like the Digital Influencers Jubilee and recent gatherings in Rome. The announcement coincided with August 15, the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Even in a globalized world, the Church can seem far away for young people. The Holy Father’s choice to encounter the American Youth in this way is an expression of his closeness to Catholic youth, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Francis who called the youth the ‘now of God’,” said Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, who serves as Archbishop of Philadelphia as well as Episcopal Advisor and board member for NFCYM.

A select group of young participants will have an opportunity for direct conversation with Pope Leo XIV during this session; further details about how they will be chosen are expected soon.

EWTN will serve as exclusive broadcast and livestream partner for both NCYC and Pope Leo XIV's live session. This collaboration reflects EWTN's ongoing efforts to reach younger Catholics through media initiatives.

The three-day conference in Indianapolis aims to unite thousands of Catholic youths, ministry leaders, clergy, and volunteers for prayer, formation activities, community-building, and celebration. The addition of Pope Leo XIV’s virtual participation is anticipated to enhance these experiences by providing spiritual connection from church leadership.

For more information about NFCYM or NCYC programming details visit https://nfcym.org/.