Nearly 300 delegates coming from Bishops’ Conferences in 110 countries met in Rome to participate in the International Youth Ministry Conference. The conference began on Thursday 23 May 2024 up to Saturday 25 May. The theme for congress was “For a Synodal Youth Ministry: New Leadership Styles and Strategies.” The congress was in preparation for the 2027 World Youth Day, scheduled to take place in Seoul, South Korea. The congress was organised by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life. This congress was the also held in the context of the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit.
The dicastery said in a statement that these initiatives, together with numerous diocesan events in various parts of the world, “aim to revitalize youth ministry and inspire spiritual reflection among young people based on the guidelines offered by Christus Vivit.
Another important event which was presented during the congress was the Youth Jubilee 2025, scheduled for July 28 to Aug. 3, 2025. On this special occasion, the Holy Father will invite young people from all over the world to Rome, exhorting them to be “pilgrims of hope.” To discuss the details of this event, Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, spoke and presented the initiatives and activities planned for the Youth Jubilee.
The International Conference on Youth Ministry concluded with an audience with the Holy Father in the morning and with an open dialogue with the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, in particular with the undersecretary, Sister Nathalie Becquart.
As IMBISA we are happy that we were represented by Selestino Mupfigo from Zimbabwe. The congress was also attended by three Youth Ministry Directors; Fr Simao from Mozambique, Fr Paepae from Lesotho and Fr Maseko from Zimbabwe.