Pope Leo XIV meets with those awaiting confirmation from the Archdiocese of Genoa, Italy, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young Catholics awaiting confirmation to “pay special attention” to one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit – perseverance – lamenting that church attendance often drops off after receiving the sacrament.
“It is truly beautiful to receive this sacrament, for the fullness of the Holy Spirit gives us this enthusiasm, this strength, this ability to follow Jesus Christ, to always say ‘yes’ to the Lord, to have no fear of following him with courage, and to live out our faith in a world that so often seeks to draw us away from Jesus,” he told them.
After recalling the significance of the solemnity of Pentecost – to be celebrated on Sunday, May 24 – the Pope lamented a sad reality: “At times, when the bishop administers confirmation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the children are never seen again! They disappear from the parish.”
He also invited young people to “persevere in the faith, to return to the parish – there are so many activities, so many opportunities – but above all in the life of faith, because Jesus Christ wants to walk with you, with each one of you, and with all of you in community, which is so important”.
“We do not live out our faith alone; we live it together. And forming these relationships of friendship and community is a way of living with perseverance as disciples of Jesus,” he added.
Finally, he called upon those to be confirmed to make a promise to the Lord: “that you truly desire to continue being his friends, his disciples, and his missionaries, and that you desire to persevere in the faith." So, I leave you with these words,” he concluded