“We know that many children and young people like us live in cities and countries where there is war.” The delegation of young people from the Italian Catholic Action who met the Pope for the traditional Christmas greetings, expressed, on behalf of everyone, the difficulty of imagining the pain of those who lose their loved ones or live in fear. In confirming their commitment «to building peace every day!», the Accierrini also asked Leo XIV, whom they met for the first time, to continue «to tell the world that peace is the best gift that adults can give to us children».
The Pontiff encouraged them by recalling that «making peace is a “Catholic action” par excellence, because it is the gesture that makes us witnesses of Jesus, the Redeemer of the world». He then underlined the slogan chosen for the association year, inviting people to observe the nativity scene. «As you look at Saint Joseph and the Madonna, the shepherds, the donkey and the ox, you see the title of your association journey this year realized: “There is room for everyone”. Yes, around the Lord, who becomes man to save us, there is room for everyone! He makes room for every person, for every child, young person, young person and elderly person. When the Son of God comes into the world he does not find space in a house, but knocks on our heart just as he opens his to welcome everyone with love.”
Because of this he invited the children to pray in front of the nativity scene, asking them to «be able to be like those angels who announce the glory of God and peace to men. This peace is the commitment of every person of good willand above all of us Christians, who are called not only to be good, but to become better every day. To become saints, like Pier Giorgio Frassati – who was part of Catholic Action – and like Carlo Acutis: I encourage you to imitate their passion for the Gospel and their works, always animated by charity. By acting like them, your message of peace will be bright, because in the company of Jesus you will be truly free and happy, ready to reach out to others, especially to those in difficulty.”
During the meeting the young people – coming from 12 Italian dioceses and accompanied, as well as by their educators, by the national president of ACI, Giuseppe Notarstefano, by the general assistant, Monsignor Claudio Giuliodori, by the national ACR manager, Annamaria Bongio with her deputy Claudia D’Angelo and the ACR assistant, Don Francesco Marrapodi – they gave the Pope a supply of products intended for the Apostolic Charity towards the poor (sleeping bags, blankets, personal hygiene products); there ACR membership card no. 1 for the year 2026; a copy of the Aid for the Month of Peace 2026, which relaunches the Pontiff’s reflection for the 9th World Day of Peace; the “Terra in Pace” pin, linked to the Acr 2026 initiative in support of the Custody of the Holy Land; copies of the Formative Paths and Acr Aids for Advent and Lent; and the volume by Editrice Ave Pellegrini di Speranza, dedicated to the spiritual legacy of Carlo Carretto.
