Understanding the Challenges Facing Today’s Youth
ROME, Italy – Just days after meeting with Pope Leo XIV, a former education leader shared key insights from the pontiff’s message, emphasizing the importance of truly understanding the challenges facing today’s youth. The pope stressed that education goes beyond simply delivering knowledge in schools. Instead, educators must recognize the deeper human experience behind learning and embrace technology not as a distraction but as a valuable tool for growth.
During his audience on May 15, Pope Leo XIV posed important questions to the educators and members of the Christian Brothers community: “What are the most urgent challenges to face today in the world of youth? What values need to be promoted? What resources can we rely on?” These questions highlight the need for a renewed perspective on education that centers on the lived realities of young people.
“The message from Pope Leo XIV is incredibly rich and offers clear guidance for those of us dedicated to teaching,” the education leader shared with local sources. “He began by describing young people as a ‘volcano of life.’ While the word ‘volcano’ may evoke images of destruction, in this context, it refers to the vibrant energy, emotions, and abundance that youth carry within them.”
Unexpected Papal Audience and Its Significance
The confirmation of the audience with Pope Leo XIV was a surprise to the Christian Brothers, who had requested the meeting months earlier during the previous pontiff’s reign. The timing coincided with the feast day of their patron saint, St. John Baptist de la Salle, making the occasion even more meaningful.
“I was visiting communities in Benin when I received the confirmation message,” the education leader recalled. “I returned just a day before the meeting, and everything was arranged quickly. It was truly the greatest blessing for us this year.”
At the meeting, the pope referenced the Christian Brothers’ dedication to “attention to the present moment” and the “ministerial and missionary dimension of teaching within the community.” This showed his deep understanding not only of the church’s mission but also of the realities faced by educators and youth today.
Addressing Isolation and Emotional Challenges
Pope Leo XIV highlighted a growing sense of isolation among young people, caused by modern relational patterns characterized by superficial connections, individualism, and emotional instability. He also warned about the rise of relativistic thinking and loneliness fueled by lifestyles that leave little room for reflection, listening, and dialogue—in schools, families, and peer groups alike.
“The pope’s insight that educational policies and curricula need to take a back seat to truly knowing young people is profound,” the education leader noted. “We must ground our reforms in their real human experiences, not just in textbooks or artificial intelligence-driven ideas.”
The call extends to government agencies like the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. These institutions must evolve to better respond to the emotional and social challenges youth face today.
“We often think of government as rigid and unfeeling, but the reform we need involves recognizing education as a deeply human encounter that transforms lives,” the education leader explained. “This is the core of Pope Leo XIV’s message. Education is much more than delivering information or debating ideas.”
Technology’s Role in Modern Education
The Vatican recently issued guidelines on artificial intelligence (AI), inspired by earlier teachings from Pope Francis, emphasizing that AI should be seen as a product of human intelligence rather than a separate form.
In discussions with the media, Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of ethical responsibility and discernment regarding AI, a concern that applies to everyone depending on their role in society.
The education leader welcomed the pope’s early focus on AI, calling it a “major earth-shaking paradigm shift.” He added, “I did not expect him to highlight AI so soon in his papacy. His message encourages us not to fear AI or blindly chase its resources. Instead, we should embrace it thoughtfully to ensure it leads to positive change rather than harm.”
He urged educators and government officials to shift their perspective and use existing technologies as tools to enhance learning. “Given our international rankings and ongoing educational reform debates, it’s critical to leverage modern technology for the benefit of learners. Sometimes we are too quick to dismiss anything new or changing.”
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